'Monster Summer' Interview: Mel Gibson and Mason Thames

(L to R) Mason Thames and Mel Gibson star in ‘Monster Summer’.

Opening in theaters on October 4th is the new spooky family adventure film ‘Monster Summer’, which was directed by actor David Henrie (‘Reagan’).

The film stars Mason Thames (‘The Black Phone’), Kevin James (‘Grown Ups’), Lorraine Bracco (‘Goodfellas’), and Oscar-winner Mel Gibson (‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Braveheart’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Mel Gibson and Mason Thames to talk about their work on ‘Monster Summer’, Thames’ first reaction to the screenplay, Noah’s friendship with Gene, Gibson’s approach to his character, and his experience working with the young cast and actor-turned-director David Henrie.

Related Article: Ethan Hawke Talks New Horror Film ‘The Black Phone’

Mason Thames in ‘Monster Summer’. Photo: Pastime Pictures.

Moviefone: To begin with, Mason, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and joining this spooky family adventure?

Mason Thames: Yeah, the way you just described it is so perfect, but it was just something that you don’t really see very often, and especially getting to work with Mel. I was like, “Oh, this is just a no-brainer,” so I just jumped at it. Especially, David, the director, he was the nicest person I think I’ve ever met in my life, and he had a vision for it, and getting to be a part of that was a lot of fun.

MF: Mel, can you talk about your approach to playing Gene, the great loss he has suffered and the friendship he forms with Noah?

Mel Gibson: Well, he’s lived life and he’s in the third act. So, he’s retired, and he’s obviously got a lot of stuff behind him, pain and stories and experience, and some of the experiences he’s had, he’s forgotten. I think meeting this kid fills a gap that was missing in his life. He was just some old guy with a hat that lived alone. Everyone thinks he buried his wife in the garden, and a lot of stories going around about the guy. Then, of course, he gets to do what he’s good at. He has a talent because he’s an old detective, and so there’s a mystery and they solve this mystery together, and it’s really a buddy movie.

(L to R) Mel Gibson and Mason Thames in ‘Monster Summer’. Photo: Pastime Pictures.

MF: Mason, how would you describe the friendship Noah forms with Gene?

MT: Noah’s father, he died, and he was a journalist. He was missing that father figure, and in a weird way, I don’t think he was seeking it, but he found one with Gene and solving this mystery, and the weird adventure they went on. I really love that dynamic they have. It was fun to do.

MF: What was your experience like working with Mel and creating that relationship with him?

MT: It was a lot of fun. It was easy, especially working with him. We didn’t have much time, but we clicked easily, so it was a lot of fun.

Mel Gibson in ‘Monster Summer’. Photo: Pastime Pictures.

MF: Mel, in addition to being an actor you are also an Oscar-winning director. What was it like working with David Henrie, who is also an actor-turned-director?

MG: I had a lot of empathy, and ditto what Mason said. David’s the nicest guy in the world, honestly. He truly is. So, it was so good to work with him. He’s humble, so that if I had a suggestion, he was like, “Oh yeah, let’s hear that,” or whatever. It’s a no-brainer, also. I had coffee with the guy, and I said, “Let’s go to work, man.” That’s usually what it takes, and then if there’s wrinkles in the script or story points or any of that stuff, you say, “Well, we’re going to be able to take care of that because you and I are on the same page.”

MF: Were there any changes you needed made to the script to play the character?

MG: I don’t know. I’m sure I had a say in what was happening. I even invented a whole backstory for the guy, and then spat it out on camera and it seemed to work. We’ll see.

Mason Thames in ‘Monster Summer’. Photo: Pastime Pictures.

MF: Finally, what was it like working with Mason and the younger cast members?

MG: It’s great. It’s fantastic. I love working with young actors because I think that they’ve got this raw material, this diamond in the rough kind of thing, and you just watch them do it, and there’s a sense of truth in it that you can’t pretend really. It comes from a youthful innocence and exuberance and everything. It’s like, “Hey, that makes me feel younger,” when I work with young people.

What is the plot of ‘Monster Summer’?

When a mysterious force begins to disrupt their big summer fun, Noah (Mason Thames) and his friends, team up with a retired police detective (Mel Gibson) to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island.