Mel Gibson Gets Company on the ‘Edge of Darkness’

Posted by Josh Radde (josh@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 15, 2008

Mel Gibson, who hasn’t starred in a movie since 2002’s Signs and appeared in one since he had a cameo in 2004’s Paparazzi (to focus on making Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto, and hating Jewish people) is turning into quite a busy man lately. In addition to being cast in Richard Donner’s Sam and George and the big-screen adaptation of William Queen’s novel Under and Alone, Gibson is starring in Martin Casino Royale Campbell’s Edge of Darkness. Not to be confused with Heart of Darkness (also known as Apocalypse Now), Edge is about a detective investigating the death of his activist daughter, has had some more cast members announced.

Danny Huston, Shawn Roberts, and Bojana Novakovic have joined the cast alongside Gibson, Robert De Niro, and Wayne Duvall (who played KKK member Homer Stokes in the Coens’ O Brother! Where Art Thou?).

Cast of The Edge of Darkness

Huston, perhaps the most well-known of the new cast members was recently seen in the Comic Con footage of X-Men Origins: Wolverine as William Stryker. Huston is an accomplished actor who’s appeared in several great films even though he really hasn’t made a name for himself. Those works include The Constant Gardener, The Proposition, The Aviator, Marie Antoinette, Children of Men, and 30 Days of Night. And as far as X-Men connections go, Shawn Roberts was briefly in Bryan Singer’s original film as Rogue’s boyfriend who’s nearly killed when they kiss. Novakovic is an Australian actress who hasn’t really made a splash in Hollywood films as of yet.

The film, written by Oscar winner William Monaghan (The Departed) is in production now and is slated for a 2009 release.

I like that Gibson is back to acting. The films he directs are usually pretty good (especially Braveheart and Apocalypto), but his is a presence that Hollywood has been missing. Sure, he’s not the most compelling or dynamic actor, but he has such a Hollywood star persona that one could pretty much watch him do anything for two hours and be entertained. The films he’s making now seem to be more dark and dramatic, but hopefully it won’t be too long before Gibson gets back to doing something lighter, like What Women Want (a guilty pleasure of mine).

| | Read more articles by Josh Radde

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Supernetuser

What Woman Want was awesome. This sounds like an interesting upcoming movie compared to what else he's done lately. I had a glimpse of Apocalypto. It seemed pretty good.

Joe

Everyone says dumb crap when there drunk, so what the Jews hate him now. The guys a great actor and should've been back 2 years ago.

Sincere

Josh, first of all, please get your facts correct. Mel does not hate anybody. He just hated being persecuted for making a movie (The Passion of the Christ) that Zion Extremists thought could cause violence, which it never did and no apology has ever been given. Zion Extremists consider that if you believe in the gospels, which all Christians do, then you are anti-Semitic. But make no mistake, Zion Extremists can slander, trash, denigrade and humiliate any culture, race and religion without the slightest retaliation. And they've been doing it for years.

Secondly, Gibson is one of the most diverse, talented and charismatic actors of our generation - his interpretation of Hamlet was not just dynamic it was brilliant.

Thirdly, do you know what irkes many of the power brokers in Hollywood and Gibson's total independence from studio control and enormous success? ENVY!!

Aleric

What Women Want?? Dude hand in your Man Card now.

Josh Radde

Sincere--

My comment was made in jest, but unfortunately its a label that's been bestowed somewhat unfairly upon Gibson. I agree with you that its the extremists that made this issue an issue, but c'mon look at the context here. In the article itself I talk about Gibson in a positive light--saying I could watch him do anything for 2 hours. I agree his Hamlet was inspired, but it paled in comparison to Branagh and Olivier. Passion and Apocalypto are great success stories, and you're right, it probably drives the execs nuts that he did it on his own. But where in this article do you see that I'm coming down on the man. I genuinely like his work.

Gordon

Ummmmm, Who the hell cares, he's a human being that happens to make movies for a living. I get such a kick out of these people that are soooo star struck! LOL Get a life !, He happens to be filming part of the moving edge of darkness one town over from where i live, I saw him filming, not by choice, I happen to have to go to the court house that day and there he was..whoopeeeeeee. he eats sleeps and changes his clothes just like you and I.

Joseph McCord

I can't believe that people say that he hates jews, that's just crap! He has repeatedly apologizes for that and besides what about Hollywood? Hollywood afterall hates Christians! They metophorically crucified Gibson for Passion of the Christ which I think is his best film

Mel Gibson Gets Company on the ‘Edge of Darkness’

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