Gibson, DiCaprio Teaming for Viking Drama

Published by Jeff Leins on: December 17th, 2009

Mel Gibson and Leonardo DiCaprio are teaming for an untitled period drama about Viking culture.  William Monahan (The Departed) is writing the script and will produce.

If the thought of that trio working together doesn’t excite you, imagine Leo swinging a massive axe while pillaging and wearing a horned helm in an epic Braveheart-style battle.  Or, since I don’t have a picture of that, here’s an image of a viking versus a shark to pique your interest.

Variety confirmed the story, but wasn’t able to get further details on where this epic viking tale is headed.  They did promise it “will be as unsparing as Gibson’s other period directing efforts.”  Might I suggest into the ocean?  Because Outlander meets Jaws sounds pretty great right now…

Gibson’s last directorial outing was in 2006 with Apocalypto.  He then took a hiatus from Hollywood following a drunken, public snafu before returning to acting again in Boston vigilante drama Edge of Darkness, also written by Monahan.  See how this all ties together?

According to the trades, Gibson is starring in How I Spent My Summer Vacation, a script he wrote himself (his third) about a career criminal sentenced to a Mexican prison full of drugs and violence.  He learns how to survive with the help of a 9-year-old boy.  Then that child will fight a shark.  (Why do I love that picture so much?)

The viking movie is scheduled to shoot in Fall 2010 and Gibson’s south of the border picture in March 2010.