Mel Gibson Shares Which (Controversial) Actor He’s Still Interested in Working With

Even after nearly five decades in the entertainment industry, Mel Gibson still dreams of working with new talent.

At 69, the actor and director of Flight Risk recently discussed his career and personal experiences during a panel at MegaCon, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on February 7.

Gibson Discusses The Talent He Would Love To Work With

During the panel, moderator Victor Dandridge asked Gibson if there was an emerging actor he hadn’t collaborated with but would like to. Gibson responded with enthusiasm, highlighting the abundance of gifted young performers today.

He remarked, “There’s so many young, talented people now. Some of these guys are really good, too. So gifted — it’s another level. … They took it a step further.”

Gibson specifically praised Shia LaBeouf, saying, “He can be kind of a tricky customer, but I love this kid Shia LaBeouf. There’s something so truthful about what he does, and he gets into it.”

LaBeouf, 38, known for his performances in Disturbia, Holes, Transformers, Honey Boy, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and Megalopolis, has also faced significant controversy, including a 2017 arrest and ongoing legal issues with his ex-partner FKA twigs. In 2020, FKA twigs filed a lawsuit accusing LaBeouf of sexual and physical abuse, which he has denied.

Directorial Comeback and Future Projects

Gibson’s latest film, Flight Risk, stars Mark Wahlberg, Topher Grace, and Michelle Dockery. This movie marks his first directorial project in nearly a decade, following the success of Hacksaw Ridge in 2016.

In a January interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Gibson also confirmed his plans for a sequel to his 2004 biblical epic, The Passion of the Christ. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, Gibson described the upcoming film as “an acid trip,” highlighting the complexity of the project.

He shared, “I don’t have a start date; I just have to begin pre-production and see what happens, and it’s just gonna roll in its own time. I thought it was late. I thought I was taking too long, but it’s probably just right. It’s when it’s supposed to be.”

Overcoming Controversies and Personal Challenges

Gibson, too, has faced his share of controversy. He previously spoke about his journey toward sobriety after a 2006 incident involving an anti-Semitic outburst during a drunk-driving arrest. More recently, Gibson revealed that his Malibu home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires.

Despite his controversies, Gibson remains active in the industry. He was recently named a “special ambassador” to Hollywood by former President Donald Trump.

Reflecting on the honor, Gibson admitted he was surprised by the appointment, which also included Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight. Trump described Hollywood as a “great but very troubled place.”

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