Mel Gibson might make an appearance at Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW) this spring. Don’t worry — the Academy Award winner isn’t pulling the actor-gone-singer stunt. (We wince remembering Scarlett Johansson’s attempt.)
Gibson’s feature film, The Beaver, will premiere at the film festival portion of SXSW in March. While this is the same Mel Gibson who allegedly abused his ex (he admitted hitting Oksana Grigorieva on tape), and made countless anti-Semitic remarks, the movie isn’t as sordid and offensive as his recent behavior.
In fact, it sounds kind of sweet in a quirky Lars and the Real Girl sort of way.
Gibson portrays a troubled CEO of a toy company who adopts a beaver puppet to better communicate with his wife and sons.
Jodie Foster directed and co-starred as Gibson's wife in the comedy-drama movie, based on an original script by Austin screenwriter Kyle Killen. Foster hadn’t directed a film since Home for the Holidays in 1995.
It’s still up in the air whether Gibson will show up to SXSW (Foster has already committed to attending). He's been out of sighn since last summer when his talent agency dropped him due to domestic violence allegations. He even offered the mother of his child $20 million for her silence on the matter.
An appearance at a film festival, even a small one, might be too much too soon. The public has made its opinion loud and clear, with Twitter satires like @Real_MelGibson mocking the actor for his alcoholism, violence and bigotry.
Real_MelGibson tweets:
I didn't threaten to "BURY" Oksana in a Rose Garden. I meant to volunteer to "BUY" her a Rose Garden. Just a simple vocal typo. My mistake.
(10 July)
Doc thinks I suffer from rage blackouts, but honestly, if the girl remembered my side salad I wouldn’t have had to hit her in the first place
(23 Aug)
Uncle Mel's Life Lesson #29: I'm only sure of two things in this life: You can't trust women and dogs wearing sunglasses are hilarious.
(12 Jan)
However, a public (and sober, might we add) appearance could help him ease back into America’s good graces. Well “good graces” is pushing it. Perhaps “hate less” is more reasonable.
Regardless if Gibson shows or not, we love Jodie Foster and look forward to checking out her latest work. Take a look at the trailer for The Beaver and tell us what you think: