After a controversial few years, things are starting to look up for Hollywood A-lister-turned-persona non grata, Mel Gibson.
The 60-year-old is excitedly expecting his ninth child with partner of two years Rosalind Ross, 26, while his directorial return, Hacksaw Ridge, is receiving rave reviews despite his 10-year hiatus.
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Australian red carpet premiere of Hacksaw Ridge
Director Mel Gibson and actress Teresa Palmer walk the red carpet at the Australian premiere of Hacksaw Ridge at Sydney's State Theatre. Vision courtesy: Today Show Nine Network
Ross, a former equestrian vaulter and scriptwriter, made her Australian red carpet debut on Sunday evening at the State Theatre in Sydney, where Gibson opened up about the American's 25-week pregnancy.
"New people coming, someone I'll get to meet," the American-Australian actor beamed when speaking with Fairfax Media.
The Braveheart star is already father to Hannah, 36, twins Christian and Edward, 34, William, 31, Louis, 28, Milo, 26, and Thomas, 17, from his 28-year marriage to ex-wife Robyn Moore; and daughter Lucia, six, with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
Hacksaw Ridge is said to be Gibson's Hollywood comeback with Oscars buzz already surrounding the WWII tale based on the true story of US Army medic Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who saved the lives of 75 of his comrades while refusing to bear arms under seige at the Battle of Okinawa. But despite the critical acclaim, awards rumours are not something Gibson dares to pay attention to.
"You can't listen to that. You hear it. It is somewhere in the back file but one can't put much stock in that. It's a funny old world," he said.
When asked if he was feeling hopeful for an Oscars nod, the already two-time Academy Award winner said: "I just want it to do well and for people to enjoy the experience and take something from it."
However, the positive reaction – including a 10-minute standing ovation during the film's world premiere at the 73rd Venice Film Festival – has been a weight lifted off Gibson's shoulders.
"It is always gratifying that people enjoy what it is that you have done," he said. "They can throw raspberries at it, but you know. You don't make films for the elite because you want as many people to see them as possible and if they dig it, yeah, that's great. It is like being a chef, you know?"
The last film Gibson directed was Apocalypto in 2006. What followed was a string of highly-publicised racist tirades and Gibson's fall from Hollywood grace when he made anti-Semitic slurs against a police officer who was arresting him for drink driving in 2006.
Adelaide actor Teresa Palmer, who plays lead female Dorothy Schutte alongside Andrew Garfield, said she had no reservations about working with the Mad Max star, despite his controversies.
"I can't speak to any of that. My experience with him was that he was a beautiful human being, who was really an active director," she said.
She added that he was a "down-to-earth", "amazing guy". "He was jovial and happy and that really set the tone for an amazing task and the crew."
Hacksaw Ridge is in cinemas November 3.
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