Roland Emmerichhas been behind the camera for several huge movies, but when it came to filmingThe Patriot, the director recently admitted that he was worried about working with “angry guy”Mel Gibson. The movie, which tells the story of a farmer and his son who become caught up in the American Revolutionary War, was controversial for a number of reasons, mainly for its fictionalization of real-life events and anti-British themes.
The Patriot
It is 1776 in colonial South Carolina. Benjamin Martin, a French-Indian war hero who is haunted by his past, now wants nothing more than to live peacefully on his small plantation, and wants no part of a war with the most powerful nation in the world, Great Britain. Meanwhile, his two eldest sons, Gabriel and Thomas, can’t wait to enlist in the newly formed “Continental Army.” When South Carolina decides to join the rebellion against England, Gabriel immediately signs up to fight…without his father’s permission. But when Colonel William Tavington, British dragoon, infamous for his brutal tactics, comes and burns the Martin Plantation to the ground, tragedy strikes. Benjamin quickly finds himself torn between protecting his family, and seeking revenge along with being a part of the birth of a new, young, and ambitious nation.
For Emmerich, however, making the movie was initially daunting due to the reputation of its leading man. This was especially true when he had to “cross” Gibson when casting a young up-and-coming star, Heath Ledger, as the actor’s on-screen son. As he explained toColliderat this year’s SDCC:
“[Mel Gibson was] a very angry guy deep down. So I was really, really nervous to shoot The Patriot because I said, “Oh, Mel Gibson is an Oscar-nominated actor.” The first problem I had was that I wanted Heath Ledger instead of another actor. I naturally had to call [Mel] and say, “I kind of like the other guy.” Then he said, “Well, you’re the director.” And hangs up on me. True story. I said, “Okay.” And Heath said yes. This was a yes for me. [Laughs] Only my sister was with me, and everybody else wanted to have the other guy. After three days, he actually told me, “You were right because this guy will be a major star.”
Mel Gibson Has Been Making a Comeback After Many Controversies
WhileThe Patriotwas released in 2000, Emmerich’s comments are notable for the simple reason that Gibson’s career has since become even more controversial than his reputation 24 years ago suggested. After many instances of being blacklisted for his outspoken views, often including some that have been called racist, homophobic, or anti-Semitic, it seems that the “angry guy” Emmerich worked with has evolved into and even angrier one over the years in many people’s eyes.
Despite that, Gibson has stubbornly clung onto Hollywood, and even though he has not been as prolific as was during the 1980s and 1990s, he has continued to make waves for both the right and wrong reasons. Controversy has never been too far away from his choice of movie project, either, peaking withThe Passion of the Christ, a movie that isexpected to receive a belated sequelin the coming years.
How Accurate Is The Patriot to the American Revolution?
Hint: it’s not great…
However, whatever the world thinks of Gibson, he has not stepped too far away from the world of films and television. From roles in movies likeThe Beaver, to his 2016 Oscar-nominated stint as director onHacksaw Ridge, and even a dip into the work ofJohn Wickas part of its prequel seriesThe Continental, Gibson has battled to keep himself in the public eye. His next movie sees him back behind the camera again,directing Mark Wahlberg in the thrillerFlight Risk, which also stars Topher Grace, Michelle Dockery, and Monib Abhat, and tells the story of an Air Marshal and prisoner being escorted through the Alaskan wilderness by a pilot.
