It’s quite obvious that Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg are now best buds. After they starred in last year‘s “Father Stu,” they’ve decided to reunite again for “Flight Risk.”
The big news here is that Gibson, who has directed five films over a thirty year span, will be seated in the director’s chair for this one. It marks his first time directing a movie since his 2016 Oscar-nominated war flick “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Lionsgate, the studio behind ‘Hacksaw’, will also be backing this latest Gibson. Plot details are being kept under wraps but Deadline’s sources are saying that Wahlberg will play a pilot transporting a dangerous criminal to trial.
“We love the undeniable electric pairing of Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg,” said Lionsgate movie chairman Joe Drake. “These world-class talents combining for this dynamic, character-driven film will make Flight Risk one of the most suspense-filled, must-see events of the year.”
Gibson, as a director, has never been one to shy away from gory violence in his movies: “The Passion of the Christ” “Braveheart,” “Hacksaw Ridge” and, his best work, “Apocalypto,” are four extremely violent movies.
Like him or not, Gibson has proven himself to be a very good director over these last 30 years. He’s even won a Best Director Oscar for 1995’s “Braveheart.”
I’m not sure what’s going on with his sequel to ‘Passion of the Christ,’ which I heard is supposed to be filming later this year. Ditto his remake of Sam Peckinpah’s “The Wild Bunch” — that one seems to be in limbo at this point. “Flight Risk” sounds a little more mainstream.
Gibson is no doubt a controversial figure. His downfall started when he lost his sobriety and went into the deep pits of alcoholism (primarily between 2005 and 2011). During that time he sexually harassed a police officer, yelled racist slurs, blamed the Jews for various things, and was caught on tape verbally abusing and harassing his girlfriend.
There’s a reason why they call him “Mad Mel.”
“Hope,” Na’s first film in ten years — his last one being the exemplary “The Wailing” —is a gloriously messy, blood-soaked sci-fi epic that may become a cult classic despite—or because of—its polarizing nature.