Mel Gibson brought humor to his first ever comic convention experience at Salt Lake’s FanX Pop Culture & Comic Convention.
When he first came on to the stage, Gibson responded to the moderator’s question of why he chose FanX as his first convention by saying, “It was close.”
The Salt Lake Tribune previously reported Gibson’s agent reached out to FanX because they wanted his first convention to be in Salt Lake. Gibson also took photos on celebrity row with paying fans.
This isn’t Gibson’s first work trip to the Beehive state, though. Some of the 1994 film “Maverick” was shot in Monument Valley. Gibson said so far, Utah has been treating him pretty well, like a “regular Mormon.” (Gibson was raised in an Irish Catholic family and has given no indication he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
The actor and Oscar-winning director has a history with controversy, but on Saturday the grand ballroom was packed with adoring fans. Many people recorded the entire 30-minute panel, even though the panel did not have a Q&A portion.
During his career, Gibson has faced sharp criticism for past antisemitic, homophobic and racist comments — and has routinely denied accusations from people, such as actor Winona Ryder, that he said such things.
Gibson spoke about his career as an actor and director, talking of his experience in such films as “Braveheart” and the “Lethal Weapon” film series.
For example, Gibson also said, he likes to bring humor to his sets when directing.
“Even in the thickest drama, I think you need to be aware of the humor in situations. I think if people are laughing. It’s not necessarily because it’s screamingly funny, but because maybe they identify with some aspect of truth,” Gibson said. “Humor is a very important part of any story, whether it’s funny, sad, tragic, whatever it is, because if you don’t laugh at the people, you certainly won’t cry with them.”
Gibson also said he confided in Clint Eastwood when he started directing, because he was scared to jump into it. Directors like Peter Weir, Richard Donner, George Miller and France Zeffirelli influence and inspire him.
This is also not the first time FanX has hosted a celebrity or pop-culture figure who has been subject to scrutiny. In 2023, action star Gina Carano, of “The Mandalorian” who has also made controversial comments was featured in a spotlight Q&A panel, was met with an adoring crowd.
When it comes to what projects he chooses to work on, Gibson said they have to “hit you the right way.” He said it’s important to choose stories that are “compelling” and to be “judicious” in doing so.
“You only really have to do one thing: you have to entertain. If you can entertain and educate, that’s better. If you can entertain, educate and elevate, that’s really the best.”
