Can Mel Gibson save his career?

This weekend sees the release of Mel Gibson's new film 'How I Spent my Summer Vacation' (which he starred in and co-wrote) and guess what; it's actually pretty good.

Raucous, action-packed and refreshingly un-PC (no surprises there, perhaps), it's a timely reminder of why he became such a huge action star in the first place.

The problem for Mel is, will anyone go and see it?

The film didn't even get a theatrical release in the USA (it was also called 'Get the Gringo' there, weirdly). It went straight to video-on-demand and we're doubtful it'll do brisk business here. Firstly, it's up against new Johnny Depp/Tim Burton comedy 'Dark Shadows' and the still-strong 'Avengers Assemble', and of course, it stars a man who these days is more famous for his drunken anti-Semitic rants than being a heartthrob.

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A quick recap of Mel's misdemeanors: the DUI remarks back in 2006, when he drunkenly told a cop "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world"; the threatening phone conversation with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva (which she recorded) and of course the letter from former writing partner Joe Eszterhas this year which accused him of "hating Jews".

The latest incident seems to have ruined any chance Gibson had of getting his career on track, as it followed the collapse of his latest project 'The Maccabees'. Dubbed 'The Jewish Braveheart', it was about the famous 2nd Century Jewish revolt, which could have helped rehabilitate him in the eyes of the Jewish community and given him a platform to do what he does best: make sweeping historical epics.

The project has now been shelved by studio Warner Bros., and Eszterhas suggested Gibson's own 'prejudices' scuppered the film.

It's possibly put to an end to a promising directorial career that hit highs with 'Braveheart' (which he won an Oscar for) and mad Mayan saga 'Apocalypto', and of course he's also found starring roles in big films difficult to pin down for a while. Remember he was reportedly dumped from 'The Hangover Part II' when the cast found out he'd been cast in a supporting role and complained (though they were happy to have convicted rapist Mike Tyson back).

His latest problems getting 'Summer Vacation' a wide release suggest Joe Public is well and truly done with Mel Gibson, but a very un-scientific poll of our office suggests otherwise.

Several colleagues said they'd separate Mel the actor/director with Mel the man, with one citing Woody Allen and Roman Polanksi as other Hollywood stars with chequered personal histories who still pull in punters. Another simply said: "I think he's a tool, but he was in 'Lethal Weapon'".

But what do you guys think? Would you pay to see another Mel Gibson movie? Please let us know in the comments section below…