The cameras, they are a-rolling on Mel Gibson’s WWII drama Hacksaw Ridge, and after showcasing our first look at the film on its Australian set, it’s been revealed that The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings star Hugo Weaving has boarded the project.
Variety has the scoop, noting that Weaving will portray the father of Andrew Garfield’s pacifistic Desmond T. Doss, a US army medic who point blank refused to pick up a weapon during the throes of World War II. Largely focused on the battle of Okinawa during the tail-end of the conflict – April 1945, to be specific – Gibson’s latest feature charts the incredible bravery shown by Garfield’s Desmond, who was even awarded the decorated Medal of Honor despite his refusal to engage in combat.
The very fact that Hacksaw Ridge is based on a true story means that already the drama has caught the eye of moviegoers, and while there’s no confirmation of a release window at the time of writing, we imagine Gibson’s feature will be one to keep an eye on. It’s currently filming in the director’s native Australia with financial backing from Cross Creek.
For a tease of what’s to come, here’s the synopsis.
Hacksaw Ridge is the extraordinary true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss (Garfield) who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing a gun. Believing that the War was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon.
With Weaving now enlisted, Hacksaw Ridge boasts a cast that also includes Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer and Rachel Griffiths. It’s unclear yet when the studio plans to release the war-time drama, though we’ll keep you posted as this story develops.
