Mel Gibson Joins Spy Thriller; ‘Mad Max 4′ Begins Casting Without Him
Does a ‘Mad Max’ Film Without Mel Gibson Excite You?
Mel Gibson is starting to make a comeback in films like Edge of Darkness and the upcoming dark comedy The Beaver. It’s easy to forget that he’s an immensely talented actor despite very apparent character flaws, but if one is able to push those aside, he definitely still has the talent.
While a part of me still wishes Gibson would re-enlist for Mad Max: Fury Road, he and the franchise that made him famous are going separate ways. Instead, he’s joining up with his Lethal Weapon partner Shane Black for a new spy thriller film called Cold Warrior.
The film will cast Gibson as a cold war spy who “comes out of retirement to confront a domestic terrorism threat from Russia by teaming up with a younger agent.” Who could the younger agent be, I wonder? Place your bets now, people.
I’m guessing by the buddy cop-ish tone of the logline and Shane Black’s track record (the man hasn’t directed a film since Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005) that this will be another action-comedy. The script was written by newcomer Charles Mondry. If it’s anywhere near as good as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, we’re in for a treat.
On the other side of the world, George Miller has begun casting for his Australian production of Mad Max 4. While it’s still being reported that Bronson’s Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron will take the leading roles, Heat Vision Blog is reporting that Nicholas Hoult of Clash of the Titans and A Single Man has been cast as a character named Nux.
Additionally, Zoe Kravitz, Theresa Palmer and Adelaide Clemens have been cast as part of a convoy that is being hunted by the bad guys. Kravitz’s character is named Five Wives. I know these facts have no significance out of context, but there you have it.
It’s hard to believe that Mad Max: Fury Road will be shooting this summer. Although I wish George Miller the best, it’s hard to invest myself in the film knowing that the true Max will have nothing to do with it.
Shane Black did not direct Lethal Weapon. I don't feel like looking it up, but I think it was Richard Donner.
Thanks for pointing that out. I've corrected it.