What controversy? Mel Gibson smiles as his upcoming police brutality film Dragged Across Concrete sparks a social media backlash

By Jo Scrimshire For Daily Mail Australia and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 15:50 EST, 2 February 2017 | Updated: 18:13 EST, 2 February 2017

He's been enjoying a career resurgence after his WWII drama Hacksaw Ridge was nominated for six Academy Awards.

And it looks like Mel Gibson won't let controversy surrounding his upcoming police brutality movie Dragged Across Concrete dampen his spirits.

The 61-year-old couldn't stop smiling as he was spotted in Santa Monica this week - as Twitter users furiously speculated the new film would have a conservative slant.

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He's still smiling! It looks like Mel Gibson (L) won't let controversy surrounding his upcoming police brutality movie Dragged Across Concrete dampen his spirits 

The project will also star Vince Vaughn who, like Mel, is one of the few Hollywood actors with openly conservative views.

In response to Variety announcing the film, social media users criticised the project, with many making unflattering comments about Mel's involvement.

One Twitter user asked: 'Wait, Mel Gibson is going to star in a police brutality movie called "Dragged Across Concrete" and he's playing the cop?'

Another wrote: '"Dragged Across Concrete" sounds like Conservative porn'.

'Still can't get over Hollywood really letting Mel Gibson back at the lunch table,' read another tweet.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Mel and Vince for comment. 

'He's playing the cop?' In response to Variety announcing the film, social media users criticised the project, with many making unflattering comments about Mel's involvement 

Despite the backlash, the veteran filmmaker had plenty to be smiling about on Tuesday, as he became a father for the ninth time last month. 

His girlfriend Rosalind Ross, 26, welcomed their son Lars Gerard on January 21.

A source told People: 'They’re thrilled and Lars is adorable. Their family is all around them and Mel is over the moon. They’re home and everybody is healthy and happy!'

Comeback kid! Despite the backlash, the veteran filmmaker had plenty to be smiling about in Santa Monica on Tuesday as he became a father for the ninth time last month

Mel has seven children with ex-wife Robyn Moore: Hannah, 36, twin boys Christian and Edward, 34, William, 31, Louis, 28, Milo, 26, and Thomas, 17.

He also has a six-year-old daughter, Lucia, with former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.  

It follows a triumphant year for Mel, as industry observers claim he has finally been welcomed back into Hollywood after his infamous 2006 DUI arrest.

Controversy: Dragged Across Concrete, which also stars Vince Vaughn, follows two police officers who are caught on camera using strong arm tactics. Pictured in November 2016

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