Mel Gibson defended by John Wick director after TV show casting backlash

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5video

Fans of John Wick are excited to see how the universe expands without Keanu Reeves starring as the leading man in The Continental: From the World of John Wick.

The prequel miniseries focuses on the rise of Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell, as he takes on the famed hotel for assassins – owned by Mel Gibson’s Cormac.

When the trailer dropped, fans were excited to see Merlin alum Katie McGrath as the Adjudicator and other younger versions of favourite characters.

However, casting Gibson as the antagonist and crime kingpin central to the assassin safe haven caused fan outcry due to accusations against the actor.

He has been the subject of controversy for several years, with issues of anti-semitism, homophobia, and domestic violence following him.

Despite this reputation, Gibson has gained a fan in one of The Continental’s directors, Charlotte Brandstrom, who sang his praises to Metro.co.uk.

‘He was extremely kind to the other actors, and especially the younger ones that had no experience,’ shared Brandstrom of her experience with the 67-year-old.

The Rings of Power director worked with Gibson through pivotal and shocking scenes, where the ominous hotel owner showed his terrifying, violent side.

She continued: ‘[The cast] were always nervous to be with him but he was very patient, very helpful, and very generous. Anything he could do to help the person in front of him – he did.’

The Lethal Weapon actor remained on set throughout filming instead of returning to his trailer between takes, which Brandstrom admired.

‘You could see how much he enjoyed being on sets and how much he enjoyed the crew when he was chatting with everybody,’ she added. ‘Very, very kind, and very, very reachable.’

Gibson was already cast when Brandstrom was brought onto the project, but she ‘only saw his good side’.

The director said: ‘I think that the producers chose him because they felt he was just the person, he was bringing something very unique and powerful to the series and that was important to the producers.’

She added: ‘He was very respectful to women on set.’

Controversy has followed Gibson for many years with the actor facing backlash for his comments towards the LGBTQ+ community in the 1990s.

By 1997 he appeared to have made amends, supporting GLAAD filmmakers and brushing off the comment as a drunken mistake that came back to haunt him.

In 2006, the Mad Max actor went on an antisemitic rant against a police officer when he was pulled over for drink-driving.

He confirmed he made the ‘despicable’ comments and apologised, calling it a ‘moment of insanity’ and working with Jewish leaders to make amends.

Accusations of further anti-semitic comments from him were raised again in 2020 when Winona Ryder claimed he called her an ‘oven-dodger’ at a party.

Gibson’s representatives denied these claims, calling it ‘100 percent untrue’ and saying she was ‘lying’.

In 2010, a recording emerged in which he was heard making threats, including use of the n-word, towards his former partner Oksana Grigorieva.

A domestic violence investigation was launched by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which was later dropped when he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanour battery charge.

Gibson was essentially blacklisted by the industry for years and is said to have gone into rehab for alcoholism.

Despite this troubled history, Brandstrom stands by the casting of Gibson in the miniseries, adding: ‘The cast were all very collaborative.’

She praised the ‘strong female characters’ in the show, sharing: ‘The cast they’re really kick ass, we focused on having some strong woman in there because that was very important to me.

‘[I hoped] they came off well and I think they really do that – all of them.’

The Continental: From The World of John Wick is available to stream on Amazon Prime from September 21.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Source: Read Full Article