BREAKING: Pierce Brosnan Joins Mel Gibson’s “Unwoke” Film Studio — “It’s the Right Thing To Do,” He Says
By Jordan McMillan | Hollywood Dispatch | August 5, 2025
In a move that is already sending shockwaves through Hollywood, legendary actor Pierce Brosnan has officially joined forces with Mel Gibson to help lead the controversial and headline-grabbing “Unwoke Studios,” the independent film company Gibson launched in late 2024 as a direct response to what he has called the “ideological rot” of modern cinema.
Brosnan’s decision — made public through a joint press conference held at the studio’s headquarters outside Austin, Texas — has ignited fierce debate across the entertainment industry, drawing both thunderous applause and fiery condemnation.
“I’ve made films all over the world, worked with legends, and played icons,” Brosnan said during the announcement. “But this? This feels like the right thing to do. Not just for me, but for storytelling itself.”
A Studio That Calls Itself a Rebellion
Mel Gibson’s Unwoke Studios first made headlines in October 2024 when it launched with a fiery manifesto calling for a return to “gritty, human stories, free of sanitized messaging and corporate fear.”
The studio promised to fund and produce films that reject what Gibson called “Hollywood’s obsession with agenda over artistry.” The mission? To bring back raw, character-driven narratives rooted in timeless themes like honor, courage, betrayal, and redemption.
Critics called it a veiled political move — a dog whistle to culture war combatants. But supporters rallied around it, praising the effort as a long-overdue pushback against what they perceive as excessive political correctness and forced diversity mandates in modern film.
“Art needs risk,” Gibson said at the time. “It needs edge. And it needs to stop apologizing for existing.”
Why Brosnan Joined
So why would Pierce Brosnan — a man best known for his smooth, polished portrayal of James Bond and a string of mainstream successes — join such a polarizing endeavor?
In his words: “Because I still believe in dangerous cinema.”
At 72, Brosnan says he’s grown increasingly disenchanted with the film industry’s “boxed-in thinking” and lack of creative bravery. He points to recent experiences on set where scripts were constantly revised for “optics,” casting decisions were driven by studio sensitivity teams, and actors were told to “tone down masculinity.”
“I’m not here to bash anyone,” Brosnan clarified. “But let’s be honest — there’s a fear in the air. A fear of saying the wrong line, playing the wrong role, or telling the wrong story. That’s not how great art is made.”
He went on to praise Gibson as a “visionary with battle scars” who’s unafraid to make difficult creative choices — and stand by them.
Upcoming Projects: Old-School Grit, Star Power
Brosnan is set to star in and co-produce “The Last Watchman,” a $40 million action-thriller about a retired intelligence officer drawn into a conspiracy that pits him against corrupt global elites. The film, written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Thomas Connolly, has been described as “Jason Bourne meets Network with a touch of No Country for Old Men.”
Unwoke Studios has already announced plans for six more films in 2025 alone — including a gritty Vietnam War epic, a historical biopic about Nikola Tesla (without what they call “revisionist distractions”), and a Western starring Vince Vaughn and Rose McGowan.
“All of them focus on character and consequence,” Gibson said. “Nobody’s perfect. Nobody’s preaching. Just real people in real stakes.”
Industry Reactions: Applause, Alarm, and Outrage
Not surprisingly, the announcement has ignited strong reactions.
Conservative commentators hailed Brosnan’s move as a major win. Ben Shapiro called it “a signal that Hollywood’s brave few are done playing by the activist rulebook.” Elon Musk, who has expressed support for anti-woke movements, reposted the news with the caption: “Bold moves make better movies.”
On the other hand, several prominent voices in Hollywood voiced dismay.
Jessica Chastain tweeted:
“Disappointed to see legends align with regressive platforms. Inclusivity isn’t weakness. It’s progress.”
George Takei posted:
“Unwoke? No thanks. I prefer my cinema with empathy and evolution.”
Others were more measured. Matt Damon, speaking on a panel, said:
“We’re in a time where people want different types of stories. That’s okay. I just hope we don’t end up building echo chambers.”
Is This a Trend or a Flash in the Pan?
Whether Unwoke Studios will succeed remains to be seen. But with Brosnan now aboard, the venture gains not just star power, but legitimacy. Few actors have balanced blockbuster appeal and acting chops the way Brosnan has. His presence may draw curious audiences — and reluctant investors.
Film analyst Caroline Tucci says the studio’s business model is unorthodox but potentially powerful.
“They’re banking on two things: cultural fatigue and nostalgia,” she said. “There’s an audience out there that misses films from the ’70s, ’80s — where characters were messy, plots were edgy, and studios didn’t tiptoe around outrage.”
She added: “The question is, can they do that without tipping into political theater?”
Brosnan’s Parting Words
Before leaving the press conference, Brosnan stood quietly for a moment, then addressed the reporters one last time.
“I’m not trying to tear anything down,” he said. “But I do want to build something that feels real again. I want to be proud of the stories I tell in the years I have left. And if that means taking heat, so be it.”
He paused.
“After all, I played Bond. I can handle a little fire.”
