Foster will also serve to executive produce the series, which, why not, considering that title is so nebulous that I think I’m currently executive producing the new Bill and Ted movie just by sitting here and writing this article.

While Showtime series have always resided in a slightly goofier space than its big brother HBO, the addition of Foster to this fun-sounding concept raises hopes a little bit.

The best part? We‘ll finally get an answer to the question “Who is the female Silvio Dante?*”

(SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWER)

*Mischa Barton

Downey explained that Mel had been there for him back when he was in need of rehabilitation and now he wanted to return the favor. But he’s not the only one who has taken the extremely unpopular stance of defending Mel. Although, he is the only one to have worn black face. So, uh, dude… not helping.

Here’s a rundown of 11 other members of Team Mel.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke confirmed his level of ain’t-caredness when he spoke out about the controversy surrounding The Mel Gibson Tapes. “Sh*t happens,” said Rourke. “I wouldn’t believe everything you hear … you know … I think he’s a good dude, you know. And ah, screw the bitch!”

Sounds like he thought the matter through.

Elisabeth Hasselback and Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg drew fire by defending Mel Gibson’s racist rant on The View. “I don’t like what he did here, but I know Mel and I know he’s not a racist,” Goldberg said. “He may be a bonehead. I can’t sit and say that he’s a racist, having spent time with him in my house with my kids.”  Her sharing of this viewpoint brought negative feedback from viewers. Goldberg then clarified that although she doesn’t condone his hate speech, she still considers him not to be racist.

She then played the race card by commenting, “Being a black woman, you would think people would give me some leeway [on spotting a racist!]”

What's This Weirdo Thing? 'Video By: Neill Blomkamp'

There aren’t any additional details on who her character in the movie will be, and she’s joining the already-cast stars Jodie Foster and Matt Damon. The movie itself, like Blomkamp’s previous project District 9, is a bit shrouded in mystery. We do know that it isn’t a sequel to District 9, and that it takes place on a distant planet. Oh, and that Alice Braga will appear in it. Alice Braga, not Sonia Braga. (Deadline)

ON PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF HIM AFTER THE TAPES WERE RELEASED:

GIBSON: I’ve never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality — period [On Opposite Day -- Ed.]. 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 FEARS THAT AUDIENCES WON’T SUPPORT HIS PERFORMANCES

GIBSON: I don’t care if I don’t act anymore… It really is true… I’m beyond that, way beyond that. The whole experience has been most unfortunate. And so it’s not without all the downside.

ON BEING FIRED FROM THE HANGOVER 2

GIBSON: 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 WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BEAVER

GIBSON: But it’s not humorous. When I first read it, it made me laugh until I cried. He was so pathetic, this guy. I understood that aspect of him. Every aspect of it — the drinking, the obsessive compulsive kind of stuff, and that he’s tried everything. Oh yeah. [Laughs] What’s the answer for this stuff? And there is an answer. There has to be an answer. There’s nothing that can afflict humankind that doesn’t have an answer, hasn’t got an anecdote.

AND PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL, ‘HOW MUCH YA BENCH?’

GIBSON: Yeah, you do stuff like that. [Whispers with a smile.] Nobody wants to see my belly button on my chin. I don’t like it when I see somebody else’s belly button on their chin. It’s the way things go. Hey, I do what I can to sort of just stave off the clock — walk, swim, try and smoke an electric cigarette. I mean it’s all bad for you. Life is bad. We’re all dying. We’re all in the process of oxidizing. Everyone of us is in the process of oxidizing so to sort of interrupt one aspect of that while everything else goes on, it’s a freak show.

True. We are all oxidizing and we don’t want our belly buttons on our chins. Well put. Now I hope somebody taped this interview so that it can be re-edited into hilarious Internet mash-up and dub step videos.

“It all happens in real-time, so it’s about an hour and 45 minutes of negotiation between two sets of parents and how it all falls apart. Kind of like ‘Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?,’ but a little funnier. There’s a lot of wit.”

Sounds pretty good, right? Almost good enough to make you forget about Polanski’s, uh, hobbies. Anyway, here are three set photos from the film, which you can look at in either righteous anger, eager anticipation, or both. (via The Playlist)

The project is in its early stages, but anticipation should build on this effort quickly, as a Foster-directed sci-fi movie should resonate with most everyone with two eyes and a heart. Sorry, pirates. (Cinema Blend)

The reason for the switch? Summit wants to build on buzz from their SXSW premiere, and Foster is shooting Roman Polanski‘s Gods of Carnage until mid-March. Moving the date will give her more time to promote her Beaver when it’s finally revealed to mass-audiences. Also, she’s gone from working with Mel Gibson to Roman Polanksi? Maybe she’ll star in a movie with Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan and Tiger Woods next. (Collider)

A DVD copy of the film’s final cut recently went missing from Mel Gibson’s mailbox. No leads in the case yet because who could possibly have it out for Mel Gibson? The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is on the case but would appreciate cooperation if you have any info regarding the case. Piracy is a serious issue that can make on break a film’s box office and hurt Hollywood’s hard working crews. So, please if you know anything, help Mel finger this Beaver thief. (TMZ)

UPDATE: Sony has snagged Neill Blomkamp‘s Elysium with Universal co-financing, forcing rival studios to let out a collective, “Awwwwwwww!” At the same time, MRC has signed an overall deal with Blomkamp, and has given a green light to a second movie called Chappie. The film will go into production right after Blomkamp completes Elysium, which is now scheduled for a late 2012 release. At least now we know that Blomkamp prefers titles that mean absolutely nothing out of context.

It’s safe to say that Neill Blomkamp won’t have any trouble finding a home for his District 9 follow-up Elysium. He’s going door-to-door today to see which studio bites.

Matt Damon, Sharlto Copley, and Jodie Foster are already hooked in to star. Big news today is that the elusive Syd Mead has signed on for set design. The guy who made Blade Runner look like Neo-Tokyo is such a fan of District 9 that he dropped the art diva routine and to take the job. Now we’re guaranteed that this futuristic thriller will at least deliver on the promise of looking futuristic. (Deadline)

Blomkamp is keeping the film’s plot under wraps, but the few clues he has provided indicate that Elysium will take place on an alien planet sometime in the future. There will be an abundance of sociopolitical commentary, violence, and sociopolitical violence, which everyone knows is the best kind because it really makes you think, you know? (Deadline)

As advertised, here’s a picture of Mel Gibson with his entire left hand inserted in Jodie Foster‘s creepy looking Beaver. Like most red-blooded males, I’ve imagined this scenario many times, and I guess two things surprised me upon actually seeing it. For starters, althoug the beaver in question is old, it looks to be in relatively good shape, which is impressive. Second, I’m surprised to see how much Foster is enjoying it. Look at the smile on her face! She just loves how Mel is manipulating that thing, and it shows. What’s Mel’s secret? I guess we’ll have to wait until The Beaver is released this Spring to find out.

Yeah, sorry for being childish, but what do you expect from a 13-year-old. No, seriously, this site is run by child slaves. If anyone is reading, please call the Department of Labor or the Los Angeles County DCFS. I miss my mom. (Coming Soon)

The headline was pretty self-explanatory, but just in case you can’t figure it out, here are some details. ComingSoon has released this teaser poster from Mel Gibson’s upcoming film The Beaver directed by Jodie Foster. The poster is funny for two reasons. Reason one: Mel Gibson comes off as pretty insane, like the character in this poster. Reason two: Gibson was driven insane by some crazy Russian beaver, so it’s funny to see him holding one. That is all (MovieLine)

_{Mel Gibson runs with a pack.}

The Mel Gibson comeback express is leaving the station, and the first stop is The Hangover 2. The second stop is some sort of “work camp.”

In an interview with “Extra!,” Jodie Foster confirmed rumors that Gibson, a close friend, will appear in the comedy sequel, adding that Mel “really liked the humor in that first movie.” I never would have guessed that a misogynistic comedy that leans heavily on racial stereotypes and homosexual slurs would appeal to Gibson, but I guess you learn something new every day.

While Gibson will not play himself in the film, not much is known about his role, although there have been rumors about him playing a tattoo artist. Will the part involve Ed Helm’s character and his grandmother’s holocaust ring? Only time will tell. (Deadline)

^{She’s got his back.}

No word yet if The Beaver will see a theatrical release, but director Jodie Foster has come to Mel Gibson’s defense when asked about the disgraced star’s recent scandal and beating in the press. Foster tells More magazine about her brother from another mother. Take it away Jodie:

"[Mel is the] easiest, nicest person I’ve ever worked with [and] the second I met him, I said, ‘I will love this man for the rest of my life.’"

In all fairness, her other best friends are Darth Vader, that guy who punched Snooki, and that chick who threw those puppies in a river.

"When you love a friend, you don’t adandon them when they are struggling. Of course, Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director, and’The Beaver‘ is one of his most powerful and moving performances. But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment."

She then added: "Oksana really should have just blown him in the jacuzzi. He deserves it." (via The Playlist)