Mel Gibson Casting Defended by ‘The Continental’ Producers: ‘It’s Not a Black-and-White Issue’
Samantha Bergeson
Mel Gibson is joining the “John Wick” cinematic universe, but at what cost?
The Oscar nominee, who infamously spewed anti-Semitic comments during his 2006 DUI arrest and later was accused of assaulting his former girlfriend, has been cast in a key role for “John Wick” prequel spin-off series, “The Continental.” The show premieres on Peacock later this year, with Gibson portraying original hotel manager Cormac who mentors a young Winston, later played by Ian McShane in the films.
“The Continental” executive producers Basil Iwanyk and Albert Hughes addressed Gibson’s controversial casting during an interview with IGN.
Iwanyk revealed there was “no” hesitation about offering Gibson the role, saying, “There just simply wasn’t a consideration about it.”
Fellow EP Hughes added, “I think he fit the role, he fit what we needed based on his film past. And I’ll leave others to debate the other stuff because it’s not a black-and-white issue, and I don’t want to be sound-bited and clickbait. That’s a tricky game to get into.”
Hughes continued, “I have my own personal beliefs in life and whatnot about everything, but I’m here to entertain. And earlier in my career I wasn’t so careful. But there’s a weight that he brought, the stuff that he brought from his past roles and what he has done that we needed for this role. And I don’t think anybody could have fit better, let’s put it that way, just with his chops and his experience.”
Gibson spoke out in 2016 about the infamous 2006 video showing him blaming all wars on Jewish people. The “Hacksaw Ridge” Oscar-nominated director called the outburst an “unfortunate incident,” adding that it is “unfair” to be judged for having “one episode” after eight double tequila shots.
“I was loaded and angry and arrested. I was recorded illegally by an unscrupulous police officer who was never prosecuted for that crime. And then it was made public by him for profit, and by members of — we’ll call it the press. So, not fair,” Gibson told Variety at the time. “I guess as who I am, I’m not allowed to have a nervous breakdown, ever.”
He added, “Ten years have gone by. I’m feeling good. I’m sober, all of that kind of stuff, and for me it’s a dim thing in the past. But others bring it up, which kind of I find annoying, because I don’t understand why after 10 years it’s any kind of issue. Surely if I was really what they say I was, some kind of hater, there’d be evidence of actions somewhere. There never has been.”
