Jason Isaacs Talks About "The Patriot" Co-Star Mel Gibson's Past: 'Said Some Unforgivable Things'

Dan Lalonde
Jun 17
2 min read

Can those who fell during Cancel Culture make a comeback?

Jason Isaacs, known for roles in The White Lotus and Harry Potter, is speaking candidly about his former co-star Mel Gibson. The two actors appeared together in The Patriot (2000) and Agent Game (2022), but Isaacs is not turning a blind eye to Gibson's controversial past.

In a recent interview with Vulture, Isaacs reflected on Gibson's infamous 2006 antisemitic rant during a DUI arrest. He recalled confronting Gibson at a party after the incident. "Mel called across the room, 'Jace!' and I said, 'Rabbi Gibson, how are we?' He came up and started sharing deeply personal struggles," Isaacs said. "He said he was really drunk and trying to provoke a confrontation."

Isaacs emphasized that while Gibson can be charismatic and vulnerable, that doesn’t excuse his behavior. "He’s said and done some things that are unconscionable and unforgivable," Isaacs stated. "I’m not saying I forgive Mel. I’ve seen him once a decade for five minutes."

Despite the tension, Isaacs admitted he would still help Gibson if needed. "If he knocked on my door tonight and said, 'Look, my hotel’s canceled. Can I stay?' I’d say, 'Yes,' probably."

Yet, Isaacs made it clear: Gibson is "not my friend," even though they "text each other once in a blue moon."

Mel Gibson publicly apologized after the 2006 arrest, acknowledging there was "no excuse" for his remarks. More recently, in 2016, he expressed frustration about being permanently judged by that incident. Meanwhile, Hacksaw Ridge co-star Andrew Garfield praised Gibson in 2024, calling him a "compassionate" filmmaker who deserves redemption.

Gibson is currently working on The Resurrection of the Christ, a sequel to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. Comment below with your thoughts.