Mel Gibson in Talks for Robert Rodriguez’ Machete Kills

Posted by on April 24th, 2012   Filed under: Action, Rumours
Source: Deadline

Well I think we’re all getting a distinct sense of deja vu from Gibsongate: Part 2 (or is it Part 3?) as it continues to hurtle forward. After last week’s public feud with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, things got even more heated when a home recording leaked online that seemingly confirmed Mel Gibson’s status as a crazed lunatic. The Gibber is now said to be contemplating a retaliatory lawsuit, but before anyone has really had time to ponder what it could mean for his career (again) he is already reportedly in the process of securing a role in the upcoming Robert Rodriguez film Machete Kills. Does this make Rodriguez a shrewd businessman or a shameless opportunist… or both?

A week or two ago we heard rumours that Rodriguez might try to snag Gibson for a role in the Machete sequel, and now according to Deadline, he is officially in “serious discussions” for a supporting role in the movie. It’s not clear if he will be a good guy or a bad guy, but the plot finds Machete (Danny Trejo) helping the U.S. government to track an arms dealer through Mexico. Coincidentally, Gibson recently spent some time in Mexico for his upcoming film Get the Gringo. Robert Rodriguez is also rumoured to be pursuing Michelle Williams for a role in the film, although it’s not clear if she is even interested at this point.

You may remember that the last time Mel Gibson found himself in the midst of a public meltdown, Todd Phillips tried to hire him for The Hangover: Part II. His cast and crew revolted, and the offer was rescinded. While Robert Rodriguez is generally seen as a bit of a maverick and probably doesn’t care whether or not people will agree with his decision, you have to wonder how it might affect the public perception of the film. What do you think, is Rodriguez making a good decision and will this deal end up being mutually beneficial?



  • Kasper

    That’s pretty solid stunt casting from Rodriguez. I hope this pans out. I love the gibber and this is just the sort of movie where he’d fit right in!

  • Derek McFarland

    Mel is an awesome actor; which is really the main thing that counts when it comes to being in a movie. A lot of actors have there own personal problems. A mean look at Christian Bale….. He obviously has some anger issues, but that never stopped anyone from hiring him for a role…. shit, he’s still batman for crying out loud. And as far as it goes with Robert taking a chance using Mel in his movie… I don’t see that being a bad thing. Steven Seagal was in trouble for sexual harassment, illegal trafficking of females for sex, failure to prevent sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and false representation about employment; and was still used as the head villain of the first Machete. Yeah…..I doubt that Robert gives a shit. Mel Gibson is Mel Gibson.

  • Steve Kasan

    Well, if I was duped into giving tons of alimony payments to a human pogo-stick while being scrutinized in the public eye & paying a script writer for turning in a first draft which was never there I’d lose my marbles too.
    As if we haven’t gone crazy for even the simplest things.

    That being said, if Rodriguez can pull this off I’d like to see Mel transition from this into the new Sin City film.

  • Pie Traynor

    Gibson’s antics arguably sank The Beaver. I can’t imagine Jodie Foster was too pumped about that. As a world-famous, first-class director myself, I can assure you I won’t be working with Mel again. Bird on a Wire was ENOUGH!