Mel Gibson To Star In The Beaver?
RememberThe Beaver? First-time writerKyle Killen’s spec screenplay created all sorts of buzz around Hollywood, ended up onthe 2008 Black List(a list of the hottest unproduced screenplays of the year), andgained the interestofSteve Carelland directorJay Roach. /Film’s own Brendon Connelly called the screenplay “one of the few very best screenplays” he has “everread.”
But after Stevemovedon toDate Nightand Roach moved on toDinner for Schmucks, theproducers moved on toJim Carrey, who signed on the condition that they find a suitable director. Not sure what happened since, butJodie Foster(who directedLittle Man TateandHome of the Holidays), who was one of the contenders at the time, has officially come on board the project. Carrey is gone. In his place…Mel Gibson?
That’s right. Gibson has signed on to star in the film after Foster apparently brought him the project. The two co-starred together in the 1994 filmMaverick.
Gibson will play Walter, a troubled father, husband and CEO of a stalling toy company, who finds a glove puppet named The Beaver, which he begins to wear without pause, and adopts as a kind of avatar through which he carries out all of his communication. Apparently most of the dialogue in the story comes through the Beaver, and be delivered in what Killen describes as a “crisp English accent”. I can’t really imagine Mel Gibson pulling off this role. Foster will be doing dual duties, starring in the film as Walter’s wife.
The producers are pushing for a September start on location in New York City, but financing for the $18-19 million film has yet to be finalized.
source:Variety
