by Max Replica » Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:32 pm
INTERESTING: In that video a reporter offscreen asked George "is Mel Gibson an option?" when he was talking about casting. His response was a non-committal "Everyone's an option". (this prompted a laugh from one of them men standing behind him)
If true, this seems to bear out the theory I've had about this for a while. Mel is hesitant to do it, and/or George is hesitant to cast him. But one or both sides are holding out hope that Mel could still happen. George has never really said that he wouldn't want Mel. He simply said that he believes Mel is no longer interested. He also made some comments about Mel being too old. But I bet you this - if Mel has a change of heart I guarantee you that George has a version of this movie with an older Max that is ready to go.
Maybe they're dragging their feet on the casting a bit, hoping that Mell will jump in at the last minute, not wanting to see his signature role go to someone else. In casting a franchise movie, sometimes a negotiating strategy is to start looking to someone new for a signature role to let a star know you're looking elsewhere - so that they'll realize they're replaceable and then cut their large fee.
If Mel was DEFINITELY not an option, and if George DEFINITELY didn't want him to play the part, he would have said so during that press conference.
Maybe it's time for fans to let Mel (and George) know that they only want to see the movie with him in it (of course, we'd still see it no matter what, but don't tell Mel that right now.)