Mel Gibson dropped from film for hate speech allegations
By Alexandra Heilbron on June 25, 2020 | 47 Comments
Mel Gibson
, 64, will not be asked to reprise his role in the upcoming Chicken Run sequel. He provided the voice of the character Rocky in the animated film, but following an interview published in last weekend’s Sunday Times, in which Winona Ryder recalled homophobic and anti-Semitic phrases spouted by Mel Gibson that were directed at her and a friend, it was announced that the veteran actor would not be taking part in the sequel.
Winona, who first spoke of this in 2010 during an interview with GQ, recalled an incident that occurred in 1995 to U.K.’s Sunday Times. “We were all talking and (Gibson) said to my friend — who’s gay — ‘Oh wait, am I gonna get AIDS?’ And then something came up about Jews, and he said, ‘You’re not an oven dodger, are you?’” This last remark was aimed at Winona and referred to the method in which millions of Jewish prisoners were murdered in Nazi death camps.
Although Winona said Gibson tried to apologize for the remarks later that evening, his representative said she “lied about him trying to apologize to her back then.” The rep also stated that Winona was lying about what happened at that party and that what she said about Gibson “is 100 percent untrue.”
When Gibson was famously arrested in 2006 on drunk driving charges, he made headlines for anti-Semitic and sexist remarks he aimed towards the police officers who were present. He later had the conviction expunged from his record after completing the terms of his probation.
Chicken Run grossed nearly $225 million at the worldwide box office in 2000 and still holds the record for being the top-grossing stop-motion animated hit. The sequel is being distributed by Netflix. ~Alexandra Heilbron
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He’s a vile piece of scum who should be banned from working in Hollywood for life. He’s had his turn, he screwed it up. Goodbye. I wouldn’t watch anything he’s in, ever.
As long as they get the actress who played the chicken who said “I don’t want to be a pie” I’ll be happy!
Mel was one of my favourite actors and Braveheart one of my all time favourite movies, now I can’t even watch it. Just because his father was an evil, racist, hateful man doesn’t mean Mel had to follow in his footsteps, brainwashing at it’s finest. He needs to just go away and hid in a hole if he can’t see how wrong he is.
Is there not room for someone to finally move on with his life? The things he said were abhorrent, but but this does not mean he hasn’t made efforts to change his perspective in the last 10-15 years.
Would we like all the skeletons we’ve finally buried be dragged out of the soil every once in a while, effectively destroying our opportunities for work?
Is everyone so perfect that they have no regrets, no concerns about how they acted when they were younger?
At least Gibson has owned up to his horrific statements and has made efforts to make amends for his words and attitudes, both with the Jewish community and the world.
Let the first one without sin cast the first stone. -Jesus
OMG are you KIDDING???? This is 25 year old news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does Tribute have to reach that far back to find something to write about to smear someone in the public eye? And KEEP ON & ON smearing them?
As someone mentioned, his father was racist & even worse. Does anybody think parents like that raise respectful children?
I would say that with a father like that — & who knows what his mother was like — Mel has done done well for himself in this life.
He can only be congratulated. Homophobia was more of a “thing” back when he said that to Winona’s friend. Most people think differently today & I suspect Mel does as well. Most of us have grown in the past 25 yrs unless they have a serious altered case of arrested development. Move on people — move on. Isn’t there quite enough to hate people for in THESE real time days??
If I see that he is a part of a movie or that he will be on a show then I just change the channel. I wouldn’t go to any theatre that is showing a movie with him in it or a part of it.
The man is just, plainly DEPLORABLE.
I was such a fan of his that when anything came out I was the first one at the theatre. I loved everything he did. And then the news came out about his anti-semitism and racial remarks and I knew the source was valid. I haven’t been able to watch some of my favourite movies because he is in them. Wouldn’t consider watching. He IS his Father and a product of his homelife. But it is interesting how old this news is????? Why???? Is there something relevant coming up for him besides the Rocky voice???? He has made his bed and most of the world saw what a mess it still was. He is not worth writing about.
To answer your question, Phil, no. One incident maybe. Two, okay. But three, four, five? It just proves the guy is not a good human being. Forget this incident, the cop incident, the incident with the screenwriter whose son started recording Gibson when he lost it and started raging. Just listen to those dozen phone calls over two days that were recorded by his ex gf. Those are the rantings of a racist, misogynistic, egotistical scumbag. She decided to start recording the calls after he left some vile messages, otherwise no one would have believed her. He’s a creep who’s been a good boy at hiding his true personality for the last few years. At 64, the guy isn’t gonna change, sorry.
Those comments happened a long, long time ago and he’s paid a heavy price because of it. I think everyone that has been punished for a mistake deserves a second chance. It’s not like this happened recently.
Him being in a movie I am interested in seeing will not prevent me from seeing it. He’s a gifted actor and director and has hopefully learned from his past mistakes. We ALL have to learn from our past mistakes.
Mel Gibson is then and now a great actor – leave your stilted opinions where they belong – in the trash. Such dogooders, really.
Mel rocks!
I am going to guess the person that interviewed Winona did some research or given the current climate, remembered that incident and made a point of bringing it up and hey it worked. That interview and that publication and Winona all get lots of attention. May have had nothing to with any sinister plot to deny him of a voice rrole.
And I am like many, I was a fan but there were other things I found disturbing about Mr. Gibson – I never get the every sperm is sacred but not marriage vows men who claim to be religious. His poor wife was very religious and she did not want a divorce – cheating was one thing but the DUIs? she realized he was a bad role model for her children. I wlll concede Mel was a fine actor, he started phoning it around Lethal Weapon Number whatever but he is a great director I will always give him that.
When I saw the title of the article I went oh my gosh he really didn’t learn anything and then I realized you were talking about some thing 25 years old – I have enough Jewish blood in me where I would’ve been sent to the ovens (1/16 But you were considered tainted then) And I find any anti-Semitism abhorrent but (although who knows what he’s like in his private life) yet nothing since the incident has ever come out again – so I assumed he learned his lesson or at least not to say it even if he thinks it – Every single one of us has made mistakes and if we learn and grow from them great so unless it’s some thing new let’s stop talking about this
Bad thing for him to have said no excuse for it that being said this was long ago & Not last week
He got talked about back when it happened I’m sure he had to deal with a lot of stuff back then is it the same person is changed I don’t know but when a person goes to jail only do their time they get a jail they’re allowed to start over so why are we not affording actors such as him say the wrong things people don’t always think before they talk doesn’t mean that’s how they really think of you regardless what he said was bad he should’ve said I don’t approve it no way no how but it was long time ago sometimes it’s time to let things be in the past start and you start fresh if he does the same thing again then blackball him if that’s what you all think he really needs to have done.
Now keep in mind we’re too bad but Roman Polanski he still allowed to make films people praise his work Woody Allen he still gets praise for his work and he still gets to work and he’s done bad things to far worse than words these other two blocks of down and people praise they would want to be in the movies are Harvey Weinstein Did bad things for years and people still wanted to be in his movies up until lately with the #metoo movement finally kicked in and put these jokers for lack of a better word in their place. So it seems just a little overkill for chastising man for words he said over 10 years
I think people need to view actors sometimes in a light of like a doctor you go to the doctor because he’s a good doctor he’s going to cure you you’re not necessarily going there for his bedside manner just want to get cured when you watch a movie do you want to get moved do you want to get laughter do you want to be sad do you want to feel emotions and if you’re a good actor you’ll feel the emotions who and how we are off the screen and your beliefs shouldn’t come into much play
Example Michael Jackson has been known said that he did some bad things I’m a personal note I don’t like the man and it was before I heard about that stuff I’m just not a fan of Michael Jackson as a person but his music so it’s really good and I can’t help but like it even though I don’t like man
So does that mean I’m never gonna steal Michael Jackson song again because I don’t like him as a man .. No but I want agree with someone saying he’s a good guy and that he’s he’s awesome he’s good at his work now I like the songs and I won’t talk about man because I don’t like the man.
Big long ramble but maybe gets food for thought
Enough already with this crap. What happened, happened.
Little Miss Winona Ryder wasn’t a perfect human being either back in the 90’s. Why wasn’t that history trotted out of the dustbin for public shaming as well?
The Holocaust is something you don’t joke about. It still holds hurt for many people. He wasn’t a child when he said this to Winona. He should have known better.
Maybe this will heal his heart and make him reflect.
I am sorry to hear what Gibson said back in 1995. Let us see now that 15 years ago., Why bring it up now. It is like Trump and his affairs that took place how many years ago. I am disappointed in any statement like that but why would Winona Ryder bring it up. A man can change but that does not make it ok. What did he do in the recent past?; Like 5 years ago
None of us are perfect, this is what we should all remember.
Mel paid his price for what he said and did long ago. I’m sure that he has repented. Bringing up stuff from so long ago – and doing so at every available opportunity – is just wrong. He had finally been admitted back into the “movie” fold and now he’s to be harassed all over again. Watch what you say and do you three year olds or it will come back in 50 years to bite you in the rear!!!
Ya what has Mel said in recent yrs? Maybe the guy has changed. Yes it was very very wrong what he said but it was a very long time ago. N yes I also liked him after watching Braveheart but then stopped after all his racism
What? Forgiveness, forget about that, most people don’t know what that means! Hashing over something in the distance past, your all a stoneman with a stone heart!. One must forgive and move on, come on man let us forgive each other, people do learn there lessons! Stay Safe, Bless you all.💖
If I’m not mistaken, during this time period both people were addicts who later sought help. Mel doesn’t seem to remember this happening at all, and Winona could be wrong, too.
Since the incident with the police, Mel has sobered up, made amends and spoken up about his views and how there were wrong. This incident being brought up to hurt another actor, at this time, says more about Winona than Mel.
For someone to be forgiven, they have to want to be forgiven and come clean. Since his rep still says Winona is lying, Mel hasn’t come clean about it. And let’s be honest, if he’d said the N word, I’m sure no one would be saying forget what he said years ago (btw, when he called a female police officer sugar tits and insulted a Jewish cop, that wasn’t that long ago, I remember like it was yesterday). How about people who wore blackface? Are we forgiving them? John Wayne, who’s been dead for 41 years is called a racist today. If John Wayne still can’t be forgiven long after he’s dead, then why is everyone lenient with Mel? He’s a disgrace to the Catholic Church. Divorced, adulterer, a woman beater, a man with serious anger issues, a misogynist and anti-Semite. What’s he done since then to make amends? NOTHING. That’s why Winona still holds him responsible for his words. He’s despicable.
Snowflakes bringing up the past lol
Kind of odd that he would say that, since most celebrities who are in Hollywood are Jewish. Mind you that was a long time ago whatever was said. That doesn’t mean that I agree with things he said though, he always seemed to have some sort of superiority complex about him.
He is paid to act not to be a nice guy. I am sure there are tons of assholes that work at MacDonalds & Starbucks but do we take the time to find out what they think no we just want our burger or coffee, let him act. He has the right to be as ass he does live in a free country.
Mel Gibson is one of Hollywood’s modern day legends. It’s unfortunate that he is being attacked for something he apologized for over a decade ago.
Great director and pretty damm good actor. He had a nice comeback with hacksaw ridge great movie. This happened over 25 years ago leave Mel alone this is garbage.
LOL….This from the word of a crack whore. I met this waste of space (Wynona) backstage at her boyfriends concert (Soul Asylum) in TO back in 95. She was so stoned she didnt even know where she was. But hey, dont believe me….just look up her arrest record from 2001, she only had 8 kinds of drugs on her. Yep, i’ll take her word for it.
Did she ask if you wanted sex in exchange for money or drugs, Graham? I highly doubt Winona could ever be described as a crack “whore.” Maybe she used drugs, but a prostitute? Nah.
And anyway, what about human rights & freedom of speech? Who is to dictate about whether or not one can be racist? It only means that you don’t like someone or some particular group or race of people. How can anyone tell you what to like & what not to? Do ALL kids like ice cream? NO! So what — we then label them because they don’t happen to like ice cream? As long as they don’t go around poisoning the ice cream of others just because they don’t like it there’s no harm done. Same with anyone who does not like Jews, blacks, gays, etc – as long as they don’t go around being cruel to them or beating them up I can’t see where ‘s any harm in being labeled “racist”. To get along in this world we ALL have to understand that some people are going to like you & some people are not. That applies to ALL races, including white. But people should not have to tremble in their boots because they are too afraid to say they don’t like certain types, groups, or races of people. It is our birthrite & our choice to “decide” and “choose” what our likes are. So what about the rights of those people who don’t like this or that? Where are their rights? Nobody has the right to tell you what to think or who to like. Having differences is human nature. Forbidding people to have differences & think & feel differently is communism. You do NOT have to hurt a person because they are of a race that you don’t especially like. Nobody chooses to be born what they are. But you can’t & should not be forced to like them — OR — to like ice cream if that doesn’t appeal to you. Cut all the labels & learn to get along. BTW — nobody uses that ‘N” word more than black people do. If they find the word so offensive, that should include it coming out of a black person’s mouth — but they only take issue if a white person says it. End of rant.
Nice rant, Carrol. Absolutely. You can be racist and you can even admit it. But it shows you to be ignorant, uneducated, unintelligent and uninformed. Comparing not liking someone you don’t even know because of the colour of their skin or their religion, or maybe even their gender, to ice cream, is unbelievably stupid. Do you know you don’t like a certain flavor of ice cream without ever having experienced it? Or do you just not like the colour of the ice cream? Is that how you judge your taste in ice cream? You have probably liked people of different religions without even know what religion they were. Do you also not like people based on their astrological sign? Stupid is as stupid does. I hope you get a clue one day because I feel sorry for you. It must be hard to be you.
Mr. Gibson said these things a long time ago, and apologized profusely afterward. His old man was a fanatic, no question, but I suspect Mel had a decent mother to turn out basically okay. Publicizing this right now is just a way to keep us divided at a time of national anger & awareness. Don’t fall for it.
I’m really having trouble trying why we must attack one another, this is why we have wars, attacking others opinions, wrong or right! Our Wars should be faught against HATE, DECEASE STARVATION AND let’s get together to rid poverty, where has all the LOVE Gone in the Human race!💖 Stay Safe and Blessings to you ALL!💖
Let’s try our best to forgive one another, none of us are Christ! None of us is without sin!
They have changed their name to the Chicks. Has the world gone completely insane. This racist shit has to stop! History is the past. What’s next, book burning?
Passion of the Christ…
I take it you have a dog in this fight?
Mel is 100% correct! We LOVE his films
He said it in 95 and she recalls it now hum!
well, if they dropped mel gibson, i wont go
see it; and him lending his personality to such a frivolous show, is the only the only reason it did so well. so ‘good luck’ with it when you drop the main attraction, not very smart.
well, if they dropped mel gibson, i wont go
see it; and him lending his personality to such a frivolous show, is the only the only reason it did so well. so ‘good luck’ with it when you drop the main attraction, not very smart.
I smell mendacity.
Mel Gibson is the GOAT. His supposed comments are unverified and have been refuted.. Leave the man alone. Bunch of hypocritical haters without an ounce of talent or sense of compassion. Gibson has done more for the world than any y’all have ever done from your parents’ basements.. Get a life!
As usual, the victim gets blamed and the perp is put on a pedestal.
Oh no! Not Chicken Run 2! I was so looking forward to Mel Gibson reprising his role in Chicken Run 2, the sequel to Chicken Run! Those meddling libtards sure have foiled Mel Gibson’s plans this time. I’m sure that’ll really put a dent into his $425 million dollar bank account.
You people believe what Wynona Rider said ? Well, I don’t. Their, druggie, more than likely liar
Stop making excuses for him. He’s done so many creepy things in the past that he would have to a whole lot more than an “I’m sorry” for all to be forgotten. Where was this apology, btw? I never saw that he apologized for anything, other than to save his own skin from spending a nice long time in prison.
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