Melīs long-held desire was to act in a Western, a genre that was attempting one of its periodic comebacks on the big screen ("Unforgiven" and "Dances with wolves"). The subject Mel chose was "Maverick", a project based on the hit television series on the late fifties and early 1960s.
In 1992, Icon Productions had commissioned screenwriter William Goldman ("Butch Cassidy", "The Sundance") to write a screenplay based on the TV show. Goldman delivered his script in 1993 and Gibson and Davey persuaded Richard Donner to direct the film.
Essentially, the movie is about the attempts of gambler Brett Maverick and Annabelle Brandsford to come up with the money they need to pay their entrance fee to a high-stakes poker game. A championship tournament of cardshaps, the game is set to take place in a steambout., a sort of floating las Vegas.
Mel insisted that Warners sign up James Garner, the TV seriesīs original star, and Linda Hunt. Annabelle Bransford was played by Jodie Foster. The actress was eager to perform in a comedy and to share the screen with Mel Gibson.
Originally, the role of Annabella was going to be played by Meg Ryan, but she opted out of the project to spend more time with her family.
Shooting took place in Arizona and insiders on location said that Mel spent much of his time playing cards in his trailler with co-star James Garner. Though a rewarding friendship started on the set of "Maverick". Surprisingly, Gibson and Foster became good pals. The actress, who had heard about Melīs pranks, proved to be every bit as willing to goof off while making the film. The two stars continue to be very close. It was Jodie who presented The Best Director Golden Globe award for Braveheart to her good friend Mel in 1996
After his experience helming "Man Without a Face", Mel also found it difficult to resist the temptation to interfere in the directorīs job. "I had to go into a self-imposed exile. Even when I was screaming to suggest something, I wouldnīt do it." he said.
"Maverick" was released in the summer of 1994. It took well over $100 million at the US box office. The film was simultaneously released in Europe in a bid to double that figure outside the American movie market.
Melīs fee was $10 million dollars.
MAVERICK
Director: Richard Donner
Producers: Bruce Davey, Jim Van Wyck
Photography: Vilmos Zsigmond
Editor: Stuart Baird
Music: Randy Newman
Cast: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene, James Coburn.
BIOGRAPHY
