Bad guys are always more fun: Mel Gibson (Interview)

Cop, folk hero, journalist, a mentally challenged young man. In his almost four decades in filmdom, Mel Gibson has donned myriad roles. But the Hollywood actor-filmmaker says he has a soft corner for playing the 'bad man', and admits he'd love to play a superhero some day.

The Academy award winner believes there's a certain "fun" in essaying negative characters.

"Bad guys are always more fun! And if you find the bad in the good guys, it's more fun," Gibson told IANS in an email interview from Los Angeles.

The 57-year-old lived this 'fun' while playing a villain in the upcoming action exploitation film "Machete Kills", which is being released in India by Picture Works in October.

"I play a villainous arms dealer who is an evil genius. It is a pretty interesting character," he said of his role in the movie, which is a sequel of 2010 film "Machete".

In Sylvester Stallone's action-legend sequel "The Expendables 3" also, Gibson is likely to play a villain.

As much as Gibson is enjoying the bad guy acts, he wouldn't mind donning masks to play a superhero on the big screen some time soon.

"I would have loved to play a superhero. It would be exciting and something out of this world," said Gibson.

While shooting for "Machete Kills", the 'fun' doubled up for Gibson as he shared the frame with popular actor Danny Trejo, who plays the title role in the film.

"Well, working with Danny Trejo was really fun and it was a great experience. He is so full of life and energised all the time," said Gibson, who also stars with Lady Gaga, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens and Charlie Sheen in the same film.

Gibson, who was born in the US and raised in Australia, started his tryst with cinema as an actor. His debut big screen project, "Summer City", an Australian film, released in 1977. Thereafter, he featured in TV series, and eventually made inroads into Hollywood, making his mark with films "Tim", "Lethal Weapon", "Signs", "Bird on a Wire", "Hamlet", "Braveheart" and "What Women Want".

The actor takes pride in being called an action hero.

"I have always loved doing action movies. It's good to know that people call me an action hero," said Gibson.

As much as he likes being in front of the camera, Gibson has also tasted success for his skills at direction. He has helmed films like "The Man Without a Face" (1993), "Braveheart" (1995), "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) and "Apocalypto" (2006).

The action-filled epic "Braveheart" was nominated for 10 Academy Awards at the 68th edition of the prestigious event. It won five, including the best picture and best director Oscar for Gibson. His epic drama film "The Passion of the Christ" was also nominated for the Oscar.

"Direction was something that was on my mind for quite some time. It was a new experience, and I got to learn a lot from it," said the multifaceted star.

It goes without saying that paparazzi is no stranger for someone with the popularity that he enjoys. So, Gibson merrily admits that he has often disguised himself to avoid unwanted attention.

"They try to follow you around everywhere and it gets a bit uncomfortable. Yes, there are times where I have disguised myself," said Gibson.

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in <mailto:natalia.n@ians.in>)