In a move that has Hollywood buzzing, actor and director Mel Gibson has reportedly rejected a $300 million mega-deal from Netflix after learning that veteran actor Robert De Niro would be attached to the project. The alleged reason? Gibson didn’t mince words:
“Get away from me, that woke clown.”
Sources close to the situation say Netflix had offered Gibson a multi-film deal worth up to $300 million, which would include directing and starring in a gritty political thriller alongside De Niro. But talks reportedly collapsed within hours of Gibson learning about De Niro’s involvement.
“Mel was actually intrigued at first,” an insider told Deadline. “But the second he heard De Niro’s name, he shut it down. He doesn’t want to work with people he sees as part of Hollywood’s ‘woke machine.’”
The fallout marks the latest flare-up in what appears to be a growing divide between Hollywood’s old guard — particularly as political tensions in the industry continue to boil over.
Robert De Niro, a longtime critic of former President Donald Trump and a vocal progressive, has become a symbol of the Hollywood establishment’s left-leaning voice. Mel Gibson, on the other hand, has made headlines for his outspoken views and controversial history — and has increasingly been embraced by anti-woke circles.
Netflix declined to comment on the reports, but the internet had a field day. Fans on social media immediately began debating the clash, with hashtags like #WokeClown, #MelVsDeNiro, and #HollywoodShowdown quickly trending.
Some praised Gibson for “standing his ground,” while others blasted him for what they see as yet another divisive moment in an already polarized industry.
This isn’t the first time Gibson has turned down a major opportunity over political or ideological differences — and with this latest headline, it’s clear he’s not planning to play by Hollywood’s new rulebook anytime soon.
Whether you love him or hate him, Mel Gibson just made one thing crystal clear:
He’s not interested in teaming up with anyone he calls “a woke clown” — not even for $300 million.
