Mel Gibson continues to astonish the world with his multifaceted talents. However, the world has long recognized one thing: everything this Australian-American actor and director of Irish descent touches turns to gold.
Despite this, Gibson has always seemed underrated and unappreciated. Perhaps the reason lies in the jealousy of his peers in the film industry, who have been quick to criticize him after each of his successes. Or maybe it’s his inherent nonconformity that sets him apart. Everything he has ever done has somehow deviated from the norm. This is particularly notable in Hollywood, where every prominent figure tends to conform to the mainstream, and even outrageous behavior often feels like a forced act for the media.
In his youth, Mel Gibson’s seemingly carefree appearance was deceiving. Beneath that charming exterior with cartoonish eyelashes lay a volcano of incredible ideas and passions.
As for his personal passions, they were certainly numerous. Mel—a bundle of contradictions—constantly provided the public with food for thought regarding his wild adventures, which starkly contrasted with his youthful modesty. In the 1970s, during the height of the sexual revolution, the young actor viewed bedroom acrobatics as sinful and dreamed of marrying a pure maiden. Fortunately for him, he never became a puritan. Or perhaps unfortunately, as he often found himself ensnared in temptations and intrigues. Even so, he became a devoted father (Mel has nine children from three different women).
Interestingly, numerous attempts by biographers hoping to cash in on sensational facts about Gibson’s life typically ended in failure. Writers not only failed to expose any scandalous revelations about Mel but also further complicated the understanding of this multifaceted man with a radiant smile.
But let others write about his personal life. After all, it’s a waste of time when discussing someone who shines so brightly in their creative endeavors.
Braveheart
In 2004, Gibson once again shattered stereotypes about himself. He directed “The Passion of the Christ”—a film in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew depicting the last twelve hours of Jesus’s life and his martyrdom. However, everyone had already suspected Gibson’s penchant for graphic storytelling. In “Braveheart” (1995), he, as both director and the lead actor portraying the valiant knight William Wallace, made viewers squirm during the detailed execution of the protagonist. As a result, Gibson’s cinematic creation garnered several , including one for Best Director. Film enthusiasts seemed to momentarily forget that the creator of this epic was the same actor who played Mad Max in the titular saga, Hamlet in a rather unconventional interpretation by Zeffirelli, a desperate detective in “Lethal Weapon,” a con artist in “Maverick,” and a charming heartthrob in “What Women Want.”
The Passion of the Christ
Perhaps creating his own studio, producing both his own and others’ films, writing scripts, and his fervent passion for directing were Mel’s responses to the film industry’s inadequate perception of him. Rumor has it that during the early stages of his acting career, he even despaired over being forced to show his backside from film to film. But soon enough, he began diving deeper into his intricate projects, where a massive crew adhered strictly to his, Gibson’s, rules.
This was the case, for instance, twenty years ago when Mel directed the epic action film “Apocalypto,” which explored the decline of the Mayan civilization on the eve of the Spanish invasion. Along with his like-minded colleagues, the director ventured into the Mexican town of shamanic traditions, Catemaco, and, in addition to a few professional actors, invited local residents—descendants of the ancient Maya—to participate in the filming. As always, Gibson imposed specific requirements for the authenticity of what unfolded on screen. This included rituals, dances, daily life, and language. All dialogues in the film were conducted in Yucatec, the modern version of the ancient Mayan language.
Apocalypto
One shouldn’t interpret this as Gibson’s desire to show off. Such endeavors reflect his love for the truth of life. And, of course, for life itself, no matter how it may be.
The contrasting nature of Mel has irritated those who preferred to see him as just a nice guy, flat as a sheet of paper, for decades. But despite everything, Gibson is anything but one-dimensional. This is especially true regarding his relentless search for meaning, which he has never ceased. Even when life took a downturn, and for a time he had to appear in forgettable films instead of directing his own.
As he approaches his current milestone birthday, Mel Gibson does so with remarkable energy and enthusiasm. Over the past fifteen years, the only notable event in the director’s career has been the war drama “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016). Thus, it’s once again time for something significant. If all goes according to Mel’s plans, this significant project will be the sequel to “The Passion of the Christ,” titled “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection,” which will be released in two parts. The budget for this new opus is $200 million. The premiere dates for each part are already set: March 26 and May 6, 2027. Shot with a renewed understanding of life by Gibson, the sequel promises to surprise audiences not only with unexpected casting choices and another dose of piercing hyper-realism but also with a fresh interpretation of the resurrection story of Jesus.
And may this new ambitious endeavor by Gibson mark yet another triumph on Hollywood’s Olympus—convincing and spectacular.
Selected Filmography
Actor: “Mad Max” (1979, 1981, 1985), “Lethal Weapon” (1987, 1989, 1992, 1998), “Hamlet,” “Bird on a Wire,” “Air America” (1990), “Maverick” (1994), “What Women Want,” “The Patriot” (2000), “The Beaver” (2011), “Machete Kills” (2013), “The Professor and the Madman” (2019), “Continental” (2023).
Director: “The Man Without a Face” (1993), “Braveheart” (1995), “The Passion of the Christ” (2004), “Apocalypto” (2006), “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016), “Dangerous Waters” (2025).
