Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson is set to return to the director’s chair for his next project. Deadline reports that the Apocalypto helmer will direct Flight Risk, a new action movie with Mark Wahlberg attached to play the lead role. It is the first time Gibson has directed a film since 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge, which garnered him a nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards. He previously won the Oscar for helming 1996’s Braveheart, and it’s also worth noting that his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ was a tremendous hit at theaters and still holds the record as the highest-grossing R-rated movie in the history of the domestic box office.
Flight Risk comes from Lionsgate, the company behind Hacksaw Ridge, and they’ll be shopping the project soon at the Cannes market. It will see a reunion of Gibson and Wahlberg, who both starred in last year’s Father Stu. Gibson also played Wahlberg’s father in the 2015 comedy Daddy’s Home along with its 2017 follow-up, Daddy’s Home 2. Gibson will also be producing the new film with Bruce Davey via Icon Productions, while Alex Lebovici will executive produce via Hammerstone Studios.
The movie is inspired by Jared Rosenberg’s originaly screenplay from the 2020 Blacklist. In Flight Risk, Wahlberg plays the role of a “pilot transporting a dangerous criminal for trial.” It’s reported that casting is underway for the other roles, and there’s no indication at this time that Gibson will appear in the film in addition to directing.
In a statement, Lionsgate movie chairman Joe Drake said, “We love the undeniable electric pairing of Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg. These world-class talents combining for this dynamic, character-driven film will make Flight Risk one of the most suspense-filled, must-see events of the year.”
Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg Reunite for Flight Risk
Gibson has another big project lined up as director, as he’s planning to helm the fifth installment of the Lethal Weapon movie series following the passing of Richard Donner. The film will reunite Gibson with Danny Glover for one last ride. When it comes to his acting, Gibson appeared in several movies in the past few years, including Last Looks, Agent Game, Hot Seat, and On the Line. He will also star in the upcoming fantasy adventure film Boys of Summer from director David Henrie. Meanwhile, Gibson will also be starring in Peacock’s John Wick spinoff series The Continental, which will arrive in September.
As for Wahlberg, the actor just recently wrapped filming on the Netflix movie The Union, which co-stars Halle Berry. Last year, in addition to starring in Father Stu with Gibson, he co-starred with Kevin Hart in the Netflix comedy Me Time and also headlined Sony’s Uncharted adaptation alongside Tom Holland. Wahlberg has various projects lined up as well, including a role in the upcoming action-comedy film Holiday Road with Renfield actor Miles Doleac.
A release date has yet to be set for Flight Risk.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
