He’s not had an easy ride over the last couple of years for obvious reasons – but regardless of what you may think of his views, he’s one hell of an actor and director, and Hollywood’s been missing his talent both in front and behind the camera over the last decade.
Now though it seems he’s ready to take up the directors helm again for his next project, World War 2 drama Hacksaw Ridge – the hard-hitting film is based on the story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector (someone who refuses to perform military service and bear arms) who was the first to receive the posthumous Medal of Honour for his services as a medic during the WWII.
The main bulk of the project will focus on the battle of Okinawa in 1945, a point in the war where the US was fiercely engaged in all out war with the Japanese in the Pacific – and one where Doss single-handily saved the lives of 75 injured men while under constant bombardment of enemy fire.
Andrew Garfield, who recently stepped down as web-slinging hero Spider-Man, will play the role of Doss, with Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Vince Vaughn (True Detective) also attached to star in the biopic.
Mel Gibson, who famously won two Academy Awards for his timeless classic Braveheart (1998), is no stranger to the war genre and will certainly bring this incredible heroes story to life.
Hacksaw Ridge is slated for release sometime in 2017.