Jodie Foster defends gifted Mel Gibson

Jodie Foster continues to stand by “gifted” but nonetheless troubled Mel Gibson, who she directed in The Beaver and starred alongside in Maverick .

Having defended him publicly when angry voicemails allegedly left by Gibson on his ex’s phone were leaked, Foster has again spoken out in his defence.

“He’s the easiest, nicest person I've ever worked with,” she tells MORE magazine. “The second I met him, I said, ‘I will love this man for the rest of my life.’”

Furthermore, she adds that The Beaver , which has still yet to receive a release date after the phone furrore, features one of Gibson’s best performances to date.

“When you love a friend, you don't abandon them when they are struggling,” she says. “Of course, Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director, and The Beaver is one of his most powerful and moving performances.

“But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment.”