Mel Gibson Wants To Work With This “Tricky” But Talented Actor

After nearly five decades in Hollywood, Mel Gibson still has his eyes set on working with fresh talent. The 69-year-old actor and director, known for his blockbuster hits and occasional controversies, recently shared his thoughts during a panel at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, on February 7.

Speaking with moderator Victor Dandridge, Mel was asked if there was a rising star he’d love to collaborate with. Without hesitation, he praised 38-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf, calling him “a tricky customer” but undeniably talented.

“There’s something so truthful about what he does, and he gets into it,” Mel said.

Shia, who shot to fame as a child actor, has built an impressive career with films like Disturbia, Transformers, Holes, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Honey Boy, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and Megalopolis. However, his career has been shadowed by legal issues, including a lawsuit filed by ex-girlfriend FKA twigs in 2020 alleging abuse — claims he has denied.

Mel himself is no stranger to controversy. In 2006, he made headlines for an anti-Semitic tirade during a DUI arrest, something he has since addressed while speaking about his journey to sobriety. More recently, he revealed that he lost his Malibu home in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

Despite past controversies, Mel continues to make waves in Hollywood. Just three weeks ago, former U.S. President Donald Trump named him, along with Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight, a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, a move that left Mel “surprised.”

Meanwhile, Mel is back in the director’s chair. His latest film, Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg, Topher Grace, and Michelle Dockery, marks his return to directing after nearly a decade, following 2016’s critically acclaimed Hacksaw Ridge.

Beyond Flight Risk, Mel has his sights set on an even bigger project —  a sequel to his 2004 biblical epic, The Passion of the Christ. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast last month, he confirmed that The Resurrection of the Christ is in the works. “I’m hoping next year sometime,” he said, describing the film as “an acid trip” due to its ambitious scope. While no official start date has been set, he remains confident that “it’s when it’s supposed to be.”