Honestly, I'm not sure how much the Mel Gibson thing will hurt this movie.

A movie starring Mel Gibson, in which he goes crazy and talks to a puppet Beaver? Who better to star in that than someone we already think is crazy, Mel Gibson.

Having followed this through friends who work at Icon, I'm pretty sure the Oksana news and tapes will only help sales.

The reason the script was on the Blacklist (and not bought), wasn't due to Kyle's writing.

It's due to the nature of the content. It's a dark comedy. Mostly a drama. It's a hard sell to a mainstream audience. The hook is a guy going crazy and talking to a beaver to try and cope.

Now the hook is Mel Gibson going crazy and talking to a beaver to try and cope.

I actually hope this film works. I like Kyle's writing a lot. (To the point, I'm jealous. The characterization of Mel's son in this movie is just a brilliant approach.)

And also was recently watching Maverick. Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson make a good comedy duo. (I had actually forgotten they had done anything together prior).

I don't think the success or failure of this movie rides on Mel Gibson. I think it rides on whether or not a mainstream audience wants to see a drama about a guy going nuts and talking to a puppet on his hand.

My bet, is it is going to be sold as a comedy. And audiences are going to be disappointed when it wasn't as funny as it could have been. Sold as a drama, might not rake in as much dough, but would leave audiences happier.

It's really in a sticky marketing situation.

I am a big fan of the writer. I finally read the script a couple months ago and was absolutely BLOWN AWAY. It deserved to be at the top of the Black List. I think Mel Gibson was a great choice for the main role. The guy is crazy. Mel is crazy. I think it may take a little time - and I hope they do give it time - but it's going to be a hit on some level. Maybe just critically? Maybe it's a bit too weird an dark for the mainstream. Who cares. I'm so glad Jodie Foster directed it and Mel Gibson starred. Regardless if it recoups its money, it's going to be a masterpiece on some level... fingers crossed for the writer.