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Hacksaw Ridge star Andrew Garfield defends controversial director Mel Gibson after having a positive experience on set. Released in 2016, the World War II movie stars Garfield as pacifist Army medic Desmond T. Doss, who became the first soldier to receive a Medal of Honor despite not firing his rifle. Hacksaw Ridge, which was well-received by critics and audiences, features Gibson in the director's chair, years after the movie star was widely criticized for an anti-Semitic rant that was caught on camera during a 2006 arrest.
During a recent interview with People, Garfield, who is Jewish, reflects on his experience with Gibson filming Hacksaw Ridge, arguing that the figure deserves to continue to make movies. Garfield reveals that, prior to accepting the role, he had "deep, important conversations" with Gibson, before praising the director's personal growth and advocating for people to be given second chances. According to Garfield, the controversial director is a "real empathetic guy." Check out Garfield's full comment below:
"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. And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.
"He's done a lot of beautiful healing with himself. 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. 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."
What Garfield's Comments Mean For Gibson's Hollywood Career What Gibson Has On The Horizon
Though Gibson remains a controversial figure for many, he has also been working relatively regularly in Hollywood since the success of Hacksaw Ridge, though mostly for smaller production companies. His 2006 incident - among other reported incidents and accusations of anti-Semitism, homophobia, and racism - continues to hang over his career, but he's starred in lower-budget films like Dragged Across Concrete (2018), Boss Level (2020), Fatman (2020), and Father Stu (2022). He also had a leading role in John Wick spinoff The Continental (2023).
In terms of directing gigs, Gibson is set to release Flight Risk in January 2025, his first movie since Hacksaw Ridge. Gibson is now also gearing up to direct The Passion of the Christ 2, a sequel to his 2004 box office smash hit, with the potential for a third film as well. Gibson has also been trying to get Lethal Weapon 5 off the ground, which would seemingly mark a major studio return for the actor.
Related Every Upcoming Mel Gibson Movie (Including Lethal Weapon 5)
Mel Gibson is returning to the big screen with six new projects set to be released in the next couple years including The Passion of the Christ 2.
Gibson's career may indeed have been derailed by his 2006 arrest, but he's certainly had a comeback in recent years. Garfield also isn't the only actor to publicly support the controversial figure, with actors like Jodie Foster and Robert Downey Jr. having also expressed similar sentiments.
Downey Jr. was arrested several times throughout the '90s on drug-related charges, but eventually had a major career comeback with Iron Man (2008).
Our Take On Garfield's Gibson Comments How Long Should Someone Be "Cancelled" For?
Society continues to navigate "cancel culture," and it remains a challenging arena to weigh in on. Gibson's comments during his 2006 arrest were deplorable and unacceptable, and there have been allegations that these comments are part of a broader trend for the actor in past years. That being said, it's also important to give people space to evolve and to better themselves, and it remains a point of public contention just how long someone's past mistakes should continue to haunt them.
Gibson certainly has his defenders, but there are also those who will be unable to look past his past misdeeds. There isn't really a right or wrong answer, and a person's mileage will clearly vary when it comes to Gibson and his movies today. For his part, however, it's clear that Garfield, after his experiences on Hacksaw Ridge, believes Gibson to be a changed man.
Source: People
Your Rating10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review 7/10 8.7/10 Hacksaw Ridge RDramaBiographyDocumentaryHistoryWar
Hacksaw Ridge is a historical war film based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, who saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong due to his upbringing.
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*Availability in US Director Mel Gibson Release Date November 4, 2016 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate , Summit Entertainment Writers Robert Schenkkan , Andrew Knight Cast Sam Worthington , Rachel Griffiths , Richard Roxburgh , Andrew Garfield , Teresa Palmer , matt nable , Vince Vaughn , Luke Bracey , Nathaniel Buzolic , Hugo Weaving , Ryan Corr Runtime 139minutes Budget $40 million Expand
