Mel Gibson Breaks Silence
For the first time since the audio tapes heard 'round the world leaked last summer, Mel Gibson has spoken publicly, ostensibly choosing to do so now because his movie "The Beaver" will be opening in limited release in a few weeks. Gibson answered a wide range of questions in the interview with Deadline's Allison Hope Weiner, discussing matters including the tapes, his eliminated "Hangover" cameo, and Whoopi Goldberg.
The most notable bits:
Gibson, who said "of course" he feels regrets over the tapes, on the question of how he could have gotten in a "position where so much of his private life ended up on line":
"[Looks at the ceiling and shakes his head and sighs] Who anticipates being recorded? Who anticipates that? Who could anticipate such a personal betrayal?"
On the perception from the tapes that he's "racist and... hates women":
"I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality -- period. I don't blame some people for thinking that though, from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes, which have been edited. You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship. It's one terribly, awful moment in time, said to one person, in the span of one day and doesn't represent what I truly believe or how I've treated people my entire life."
On his cameo in the "Hangover" sequel being cut after rumored complaints from those working on the film:
"You have to let that go. I sat here and talked to [director] Todd [Phillips] about it. I like Todd. How could you not like Todd? He's smart and he's gifted and so are the other people in the film. It's okay. You just have to let that go.... It shows you a few things. You just move on and go okay. I'm not greatly offended by it. It seemed like a good idea at the time and it went south."
On his continued support from "The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg:
"I knew Whoopi before she was Whoopi. And, as she's great and I always liked her and loved her. I like her even more now because she got it... I love her for it."
On the allegations that he hit ex-wife Oksana Grigorieva:
"I was allowed to end the case and still maintain my innocence. It's called a West plea and it's not something that prosecutors normally allow. But in my case, the prosecutors and the judge agreed that it was the right thing to do. I could have continued to fight this for years and it probably would have come out fine. But I ended it for my children and my family. This was going to be such a circus. You don't drag other people in your life through this sewer needlessly, so I'll take the hit and move on."
