Variety say Mel Gibson will lead The Beaver, a black comedy about a guy who wears a beaver puppet on his arm, which he talks to and treats as a companion. The movie is based on Kyle Kilen’s script which Brendon Connelly at /film claims to be “one of the few very best screenplays” he has “ever read.”

Gibson replaces Jim Carrey who replaced Steve Carrell in the hotly talked about project which unusually found a director last month in actress Jodie Foster. Foster’s attachment is no doubt how Gibson landed the part as the duo are good friends, going all the way back to them working together on 1994’s Maverick. 

Foster has also given herself a part in this, playing Gibson’s wife.

Carson Reeves at Script Shadow calls The Beaver…

a thinly veiled (albeit dark) version of “Guy drinks magical potion. Life changes for the better.” What separates it from the rest of these types of films is that it’s not a comedy. Well, it is, but not really. It’s actually a serious look at how depression ruins families and how distraction and denial may work as temporary lifeboats from the disease, but sooner or later, you’re going to have to deal with the real issues.

The puppet itself is said to have an English accent which Gibson will be providing. 

The movie could film as early as September in New York if Foster/Gibson and Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin and Keith Redmon can secure the near $20 million financing that would make this a studio release. Otherwise the only other way would be to go serious indie route, but with Gibson who isn’t over the hill yet, they might just have a surprise winner on their hands if everything falls into the right place. 

With Carrey or Carrell, it didn’t really matter who got the part because the movie would turn out just the same but with Gibson now on board, we’re talking a whole new ball game now. It’s sure great to have him back acting again and taking on risky projects such as this one. Looking forward to this!