Mel Gibson’s Quiet Comeback

Mel Gibson was once an unstoppable force in Hollywood.

From his role as Martin Riggs in the beloved and long-running “Lethal Weapon” franchise to his anti-hero Mad Max and everything in between, Gibson was for decades the definition of an A-list star. When he directed the record-breaking, faith-based picture “The Passion of the Christ,” he seemed to somehow be reaching new heights.

Not only does Gibson have impressive films out now, but he’s lining up projects for years to come.

Instead, personal troubles plagued him and made him persona non grata for Hollywood. Amid his many personal turmoils, the filmmaker has attempted comebacks that have ultimately failed. His 2010 “Edge of Darkness” flopped, “Get the Gringo” came and went without much notice, and numerous directorial projects have failed to get off the ground. Even a showy villain role in the “Expendables” franchise did little to mend Gibson’s relationship with audiences and the media.

However, 2016 seems to be the man’s year.

With his newest action film, “Blood Father,” earning rave reviews and his latest directorial effort, “Hacksaw Ridge,” getting Oscar buzz after only one trailer, Gibson may finally be settling back into the good graces of his industry — and perhaps even audiences.

Not only does Gibson have impressive films lined up for this year, he’s already got projects scheduled for years to come. Just this year he announced a sequel to “The Passion of the Christ,” focusing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He’s also been attached to upcoming projects like a television reunion of “Tequila Sunrise” and “The Professor and the Madman,” a film telling the story behind the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, and also starring Sean Penn.

Gibson, however, seems to be keeping out of the public eye and letting the work speak for itself. After all, it was personal, not professional troubles, that stalled every one of Gibson’s attempts at comebacks over the years — from his DUI escapades to his messy and high-profile divorce.

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The strategy is already working. “Blood Father” is sitting just below 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Also a producer on the film, Gibson stars as a recovering alcoholic criminal on the straight and narrow who is forced back into his old habits to protect his estranged daughter. Chris Bumbray at joblo.com called the film, “the best action movie of the year” and “a small miracle” in his review.

As for Gibson’s next directorial effort, “Hacksaw Ridge,” things are looking even better.

With Gibson nowhere in front of the camera, the film will enjoy a wide release in September and has launched a trailer that already has many talking Oscars. It’s no doubt a change of pace for Gibson, a man who hasn’t been able to get a directorial project off the ground since 2006’s “Apocalypto.”

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“Ridge” focuses on the military service of World War II veteran Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor and stars talent such as Andrew Garfield and Vince Vaughn.

The two films, partnered with Gibson’s current low personal profile, will likely make this the year he makes the comeback many fans have been hoping for.

Gibson’s biggest success, “The Passion of the Christ,” brought hordes of faith-friendly audiences to the theaters in 2004. It earned over $600 million worldwide and is still the highest grossing R-rated film in America (second worldwide). It’s the movie that is most often viewed as being responsible for Hollywood’s embrace of faith-friendly pictures. The sequel to “Passion” can be expected sometime in 2018. 

Maybe by then, Gibson will be forgiven by pop culture and his image renewed.