'It gives me a giggle': Mel Gibson reveals delight at returning to Sydney as he prepares to direct first film in nine years - World War II epic Hacksaw Ridge

By Jason Chester For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 10:31 EST, 30 July 2015 | Updated: 19:10 EST, 30 July 2015

The thought of filming his new movie in Australia was a source of amusement for Mel Gibson at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday. 

The Oscar-winner, who was born in New York City, is returning to his roots to direct World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, to be filmed largely in New South Wales, his home throughout his teenage years.

'I'm so glad to be here again, working here again, bumping into people I've known for years, decades, again... and moving forward - it's been great,' he said at Sydney's Fox Studios.

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He's pleased: The thought of filming his new movie in Australia was a source of amusement for Mel Gibson at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday 

He's pleased: The thought of filming his new movie in Australia was a source of amusement for Mel Gibson at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday 

Gibson was born in the United States but moved to Sydney when he was 12, studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) and treading the boards in local theatres before he shot to fame with Mad Max in 1979. 

'It gives me a particular giggle,' he said. 'I kicked off over 35 years ago here (and) I feel like I've picked up the thread where I left off since last I worked here.' 

Hacksaw Ridge will mark Gibson's first directorial effort since that year with Apocalypto. 

Delighted: Gibson admitted he was pleaded to be filming World War II epic Hacksaw Ridge in his adopted homeland 

Delighted: Gibson admitted he was pleaded to be filming World War II epic Hacksaw Ridge in his adopted homeland 

While he's been spotted scouring for locations across New South Wales, on Thursday it was formally announced the film would be mainly filmed in the state from September.

Starring The Amazing Spider-Man's Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss, who saved 75 men in Okinawa in World War II without ever firing a gun. 

'It's about a man who wouldn't touch a weapon and wanted to be part of saving lives in the worst place on earth. I mean Okinawa was an horrific place... there were over 300,000 casualties, mostly civilian,' he said. 

Comeback: Hacksaw Ridge will mark Gibson's first directorial effort since that year with Apocalypto

Comeback: Hacksaw Ridge will mark Gibson's first directorial effort since that year with Apocalypto

The film is a bit of a coup for New South Wales according to the state government, which predicts it will generate more than 700 jobs and inject more than $26 million into Sydney and regional NSW.

With Australia's world-class crews and actors, Gibson says they'll produce a "five-star flick here".

'We'll see if we can dispatch this and bring home the bacon,' he said. 'Just not for ourselves but for the state - and give people even more reasons to come here and work.' 

The film is expected to be completed towards the end of 2016.

Blockbuster: With Australia's world-class crews and actors, Gibson says they'll produce a "five-star flick here"

Blockbuster: With Australia's world-class crews and actors, Gibson says they'll produce a "five-star flick here"

 

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