Young Australian moviegoers were left traumatized this week after a terrifying trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest film was screened before a children’s film.
The film faux pas occurred during a screening of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 at Event Cinemas in Edmondson Park, located in south-west Sydney.
Father of three, said David Campbell news corporation that he and his wife took their three children – ages nine, 11 and 14 – to see the latest installment of the popular video game franchise.
However, the youngsters were in for a big surprise even before the movie began, due to the trailer for Mel Gibson’s upcoming movie, Monster Summer.
While the film has the same PG rating as Sonic The Hedgehog, Monster Summer tackles much darker themes.
The film follows a group of young friends who team up with a retired police detective to unravel the mystery of a strange force that threatens to disrupt their summer fun.
Young Australian moviegoers were left traumatized this week after a terrifying trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest film screened during Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (pictured).
The trailer begins innocently, with the group of children enjoying their summer vacation.
But things take a sinister turn when the children are seen sneaking into Mel Gibson’s character’s backyard.
Then, the Mad Max star bursts onto the scene, scaring the children who run away screaming.
In another scene, the children are swimming in a lake at night when a menacing creature can be heard lurking beneath the surface.
A boy disappears underwater, only to resurface with sunken eyes, having undergone a terrifying transformation after his encounter.
From there, it’s a montage of monstrosity, with light bulbs exploding, a typewriter working on its own, and screaming children.
Campbell told the publication that the scary scenes caused quite a stir, with traumatized children screaming and crying as the trailer played out.
“I just remember my wife and I staring at the kids between us and saying ‘WTF’ while the preview played,” he said.
But young moviegoers were dealt a blow even before the movie began, thanks to the trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest film, Monster Summer. Pictured: Mel Gibson attending the special preview screening of Monster Summer in Los Angeles.
The trailer begins innocently, with the group of children enjoying their summer vacation. But things take a sinister turn when the children are seen sneaking into Mel Gibson’s character’s backyard. In the photo: Mel Gibson in the Monster Summer trailer.
“The whole thing was crazy because you’re sitting in a dark movie theater with your kids waiting for a wholesome movie about the importance of teamwork and friendship and the next thing you know there are kids looking through their fingers and hugging their parents.” “.
Campbell added that he had heard similar stories from parents who had taken their children to see the film during the summer holidays.
A spokesperson for Event Cinemas told News Corp that despite its PG rating, the theater chain would be reviewing the placement of the Monster Summer trailer.
“Coming to Event Cinemas should be a positive and memorable experience for all guests and, in light of feedback from these customers, we are currently reviewing our Monster Summer preview schedule,” the spokesperson said.
It comes after the Lethal Weapon actor discovered his Malibu mansion had been consumed by fire while recording an episode on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
“I felt a little uncomfortable while we were talking because I knew my neighborhood was on fire, so I thought, ‘I wonder if my place is still there,'” he told NewsNation.
The film follows a group of young friends who team up with a retired police detective to unravel the mystery of a strange force that threatens to disrupt their summer fun. In the photo: Mel Gibson in the Monster Summer trailer.
Campbell said the scary scenes caused quite a stir, with traumatized children screaming and crying as the trailer unfolded.
And he added: “But when I got home, sure enough, he wasn’t there.”
On Friday, her publicist Alan Nierob confirmed that Mel’s home of 14 years in Malibu had “completely disappeared.”
Adding that in a sense, “he’s been relieved of the burden of my things because they’re all in ashes,” he said, laughing.
“I went home and said, ‘Well, at least I don’t have those pesky plumbing problems anymore,'” Mel told the outlet.