Edge of Darkness, a gritty revenge thriller opening Jan. 29, marks Mel Gibson’s first leading-man role in eight years. With his recent tabloid baggage, can the 53-year-old still open an R-rated $80 million drama? “I don’t think anybody would have gotten involved if they had any doubts about Mel Gibson being a great actor and a movie star,” producer/financier Graham King tells EW.
In fact, this production (the adaptation of a successful BBC mini-series), returns Gibson, to the well-worn revenge drama territory that he’s mined so effectively in many films, including Ransom and the Lethal Weapon franchise. Sue Kroll, Warner Bros. president of marketing, says of Gibson’s character in Darkness: “It’s a role people love to see him in.” And by people, Kroll primarily means men, who not surprisingly are far more interested in this film than women, who in the past have been the primary drivers of his box-office success (on films such as What Women Want). “It has a lot to do with the kind of film we’re selling here and the fact that he’s an older movie star now,” Kroll adds. Darkness will open opposite the female-driven romantic comedy When in Rome. It will also mark Avatar‘s 7th weekend in theaters. Will Gibson be the man to finally unseat James Cameron’s juggernaut?
To read more about Gibson’s return to the big screen, pick up this week’s Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.
Though this reminds me somewhat of Taken i think it might do well for that reason. I can see Gibson in this role. It’s not as if he’s trying to play younger than what he is, this is a mature role for an older (though definitely not washed up) guy. Hopefully he’ll make this work.
I dont think this’ll be a complete bomb but a pseudo-failure nontheless… people only see Mel Gibson’s movies if he’s directing and that usually has the promise of lotsa violence and torture…
Have you seen the previews for this movie? It appears to be filled with violence and at least the potential for torture.
yea but with Mel Gibson starring it doesnt bode well… he’s completely unlikeable… way more than tom cruise thats for sure…
Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll take a Mel Gibson movie over a Tom Cruise movie any day. Plus, Mel has only directed four movies over the course of his career, so I’m not really following your logic. That said, I make no predictions regarding the success of this movie. I want to see it, but to me it doesn’t have blockbuster written all over it. It seems more like a Payback type movie. Incidentally, my favorite Gibson film.
As I said once before, the only Gibson movie I want to see is “Gibson Vs The Hebrew Hammer”.
I would love to see Mel Gibson vs. the Hebrew Hammer…
Yeah, he would CRUSH it….SMILE
You know what’s going to be a HUGE flop? That new Harrison Ford movie opening this weekend. Man, that looks like a stinker!
f’real! January movies strike again!!!
“I already work around the clock!”
This movie looks terrible, but at least I got a good chuckle out of that gloriously bad line during commercials…so of course, the marketing department, in their infinite wisdom, removed it. I could actually envision a small number of people checking this one out, hearing Ford deliver it, then leaving.
oh yes, the man still has ‘it’
Well it ain’t knocking off Avatar, it all depends on how much it makes. If he makes between 15-20mil he is good, anything lower and he will have a hard time making a come back.
All I know is that I can’t wait to see this! Glad Mel is back.
Same here…
I think the answer to whether Mel can still draw a crowd is a resounding “yes”. Look for Edge of Darkness to rule the box office that weekend…
Mel Gibson has never, ever had a huge flop. I think he has movies that underperformed but never a flop that he became synonymous for.
Look at Tom Hanks- The Bonfire of the Vanities, Joe Vs. The Volcano, Bruce Willis- Hudson Hawk, Color of Night, Nicolas Cage- Bangok Dangerous,The Wicker Man, Snake Eyes, Arnold- Last Action Hero, Sly- Stop or My Mom Will Shoot etc. In other words, Edge of Darkness is going to be a huge hit.
*Ahem*
The Patriot
Bird on a Wire
Air America
If you notice I said underperformed films not hugh flops. As far as I am concerned The Patriot (flawed) is watched heavily by everyone I know. Air America is underrated and Bird on a Wire is hilarious because it’s pretty over-the top. No one looks at these and says flop like Last Action Hero or Hudson Hawk. Nice try, I like where your head is at.
Those were good films…
Movie trailer reminds me of “Death Wish”
This film looks horrific, I reckon most people after watching it will wish they were watchin ‘What Women Want 2′ …The Brendan Frazer movie looks worse though, like straight to bargain bucket worse.
I will never watch a mel gibson movie after his anti semetic remarks. I WAS a big fan but never again.
Get a life lady….
“When In Rome” was written by the same people who wrote Old Dogs. I think that says it all.
I’m tired of all the hate masqerading as righteous indignation these days. Some people will simply never forgive Gibson even though he apologized. Of course, the Hollwood elite are just angry because he went outside the system and ended up directing the most profitable rated R film in the history.
You go girl…
@markinnyc – “The Patriot” grossed over $100 million. However, my favorite Gibson films are “The Year of Living Dangerously” and “Gallipoli”.