Why This Actor Believes Mel Gibson Deserves a Second Chance in Hollywood
By Movieguide® Contributor
Andrew Garfield, who worked with Mel Gibson on HACKSAW RIDGE, described the change he has seen in the legendary actor and director and explained why he believes he deserves a second chance.
“I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help. I learned that everyone deserves respect,” Garfield told People when asked about his experience of working with Gibson, per Variety. “And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.”
READ: Mel Gibson Calls for an End to Child Sex Trafficking: ‘The Future is Our Children’
“He’s done a lot of beautiful healing with himself,” he continued. “And thank God. Because he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films. He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.”
“He’s the kind of director that would come from behind the monitors, just with his eyes wet. He knew when it was right and he knew when it wasn’t right. And I just really trusted him,” Garfield added. “And he’s a visceral storyteller so he can feel… He’s like he can’t help but feel everything. He’s a real empathetic guy.”
Gibson was one of the biggest names in Hollywood in the early 2000s after the success of movies like BRAVEHEART and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Unfortunately, his image deteriorated overnight after a DUI arrest in 2006, during which he made disparaging comments. Though he quickly apologized for his actions, it would be years before Gibson landed a role in a mainstream movie.
READ: ‘Worlds Colliding’: Dallas Jenkins and Mel Gibson Meet Up
Recently, however, Gibson has been able to rebuild Hollywood’s trust in him – through movies like HACKSAW RIDGE. Now, Gibson has teamed up with even larger actors like Mark Wahlberg and has been floating the idea of creating a sequel to THE PASSION.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Over the past few years, it was reported that Mel Gibson was working on a sequel to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST along with Writer/Director Randall Wallace (WE WERE SOLDIERS SECRETARIAT, and HEAVEN IS FOR REAL). THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST grossed over $600 million worldwide. The new movie would be titled THE RESURRECTION, taking place in hell and covering what happened in the three-day period before Jesus rose from the dead. Gibson has stated that the movie is a massive undertaking and would take years to develop.
In a USA TODAY interview with Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in THE PASSION, says the sequel is taking shape. “There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience” Caviezel said, “it’s great. Stay tuned.”
While Caviezel isn’t spilling details as to the plans with the highly anticipated sequel from Mel Gibson, he did say, “the film he’s going to do is going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good.”
