Mel Gibson Eyes Mark Walhberg to Star in WWII Drama 'Destroyer' (Exclusive)

Mel Gibson is eyeing his “Daddy’s Home 2” co-star Mark Wahlberg for a key role in his next directing project, the WWII drama “Destroyer,” TheWrap has learned.

Meanwhile, Gibson is circling a role opposite Wahlberg in Warner Bros.’ remake of the ’70s TV series “The Six Billion Dollar Man” — which is targeting a summer production start ahead of a release next summer and ahead of the “Destroyer” shoot.

Reps for Warner Bros., Gibson and Wahlberg declined to comment.

It’s not clear what role Wahlberg might play in “Destroyer,” which is based on the John Wukovits book “Hell From the Heavens: The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II’s Greatest Kamikaze Attack.”

Also Read: Mel Gibson's 'Boss Level' Lands at Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios

The indie, which is targeting a fall production start, centers on the Battle of Okinawa in April, 1945 when the USS Laffey withstood 22 kamikaze attacks and earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die.”

Gibson’s longtime girlfriend Rosalind Ross wrote the script. Gianni Nunnari’s Hollywood Gang Productions is producing “Destroyer,” which is not set up at any studio.

“The Six Billion Dollar Man” is set to go into production this summer for release on May 31, 2019. The movie is based on TV show that made Lee Majors a star as well as the novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin.

Also Read: Mel Gibson's 'Boss Level' Lands at Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios

The story follows military officer Steve Austin (Wahlberg), who becomes part of a top-secret government program after a horrific accident leaves him near death. With the help of cutting-edge technology, Steve is brought back to life with extraordinary abilities, making him the world’s first truly bionic man.

If Gibson joins the cast, it would be the first onscreen pairing since last winter’s “Daddy Home 2” in which Gibson and Wahlberg played father and son.

Damián Szifron, who wrote and directed Argentina’s Oscar foreign-language nominee “Wild Tales,” wrote the “Six Billion” screenplay and will direct.

Gibson is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson. Wahlberg is repped by WME.

'Avengers: Infinity War' - Here Are All the Pop Culture References (Photos)

"Avengers: Infinity War" is full of awesome and hilarious references to classic films, bands and yes, even ice cream brands. Click through TheWrap's gallery to see what made the cut.
"Footloose"

Tom Holland's Spidey references the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon in the film. However, this isn't the only time Bacon gets mentioned in "Infinity War."
Paramount Pictures
"Alien" Movies

In the same scene, Peter Parker also uses the "Alien" movies as inspiration to get out of tricky situation.
Fox
Squidward

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tells one of Thanos' Black Order members that he reminds him a lot of Squidward Tentacles from "SpongeBob SquarePants."
Nickelodeon
"Arrested Development"

Someone covered in blue, wearing Never-nudes and looking very much like David Cross' character Tobias Fünke from "Arrested Development" is seen in one of the scenes of "Infinity War."
Fox
Starbucks

Okoye (Danai Gurira) references Starbucks and The Olympics (on the next slide) when talking to T'Challa about making Wakanda accessible to the outside world.
Wikimedia Commons
The Olympics
Wikimedia Commons
Grimace

McDonalds' The Grimace gets a shoutout in a conversation with Thanos (Josh Brolin). That's on point, given that many fans commented that exact thing about Thanos' look on the internet prior to the film's release.
Flickr
The Beatles

Tony Stark talks to Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) about the Avengers disbanding and Bruce says, "Like the Beatles?"
Getty Images
Ben & Jerry's

In a scene between Tony Stark and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Stark tells the Sorcerer Supreme: "Well, I swore off dairy but then Ben & Jerry's named a flavor after me."

Wikimedia Commons
"Defender" Video Game

Groot (Vin Diesel), who is no longer a baby but has since grown into an angsty teenager, is seen playing the classic "Defenders" arcade game throughout the movie.
Williams Electronics
Kevin Bacon

Pom Klementieff's Mantis references Kevin Bacon in the film, as well.
Getty Images
"Rubberband Man"

The Guardians sing The Spinners' "Rubberband Man" when flying through the galaxy.
Getty Images
Mr. Clean

At one point, Tony Stark called Drax "Mr. Clean" -- and to be honest, we see the resemblance.
"The Waterboy"

In the movie, Mantis (Pom Klementieff) says the Guardians are there to "kick names and take a--," which is a reference to 1998's "The Waterboy."
Touchstone Pictures

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From classic films to ice cream brands and video games, here’s what you’ll hear mentioned in the latest MCU movie

"Avengers: Infinity War" is full of awesome and hilarious references to classic films, bands and yes, even ice cream brands. Click through TheWrap's gallery to see what made the cut.

View In Gallery

'Avengers: Infinity War' - Here Are All the Pop Culture References (Photos)

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