The last time we saw Mel Gibson in front of the camera on the big screen in a leading role was in M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs" in 2002.
Since then, he's been accused of making a religious anti-semitic snuff film with "The Passion of the Christ," and an ultra-violent look at the Mayan civilization some deemed racist and derogatory.
Then there was that drunken anti-semitic outburst in 2006.
It's no wonder Gibson has been laying low for a few years.
Now he's making his return to the big screen with the R-rated revenge thriller "Edge of Darkness." It's the kind of film where Gibson should feel at home, ala "Ransom," "Payback" and even the first "Lethal Weapon."
A lot's changed in Hollywood over eight years though. Gibson was one of the select few big-name actors who could be counted on to give a movie a big opening weekend.
Star power isn't what it used to be. Even squeaky-clean performers like Julia Roberts ("Duplicity"), Will Smith ("Seven Pounds"), and George Clooney ("The Men Who Stare at Goats") have movies open soft if they're not sold properly.
"Edge of Darkness" is being marketed well, though, with the knowledge some may not be willing to watch Gibson. In the trailer, there's a line where he tells someone, "You have to decide whether you're hanging on the cross, or banging in the nails."
That tells me Gibson is willing to poke a little fun at himself. But a couple recent interviews I've seen this this week have found him bristling at reporters asking him questions about the controversy's role in his comeback. If he plays this wrong, Gibson may find himself in Hollywood exile again.
"Darkness" will go up against "Avatar" in its seventh week in release. I'm guessing "Avatar" stays on top, but Gibson may give James Cameron a run for his money.
This is the first of two movies Gibson will star in this year. The other is a dark comedy directed by his friend, Jodie Foster, called "Beaver." It's about a man who walks around with a puppet of a beaver on his hand because it's the only way he can force himself to communicate.
Interesting, no?
For my part, I'm ready to see Gibson hell-bent on revenge and cracking heads again. I may just follow my trip to the movies to see "Darkness" by popping in my "Payback" DVD.
Have a great weekend - I'll see you at the movies.
