Movie starring Mel Gibson that shot in Southport and Wilmington gets trailer, release date

A movie starring the actor Mel Gibson that shot in Wilmington and Southport in 2021 and 2022 has a new name, a trailer and a release date.

"Monster Summer," a coming-of-age horror/comedy thriller, shot here under the name "Boys of Summer" but is now called "Monster Summer." Its release date is Oct. 4.

In a trailer for the film, B-roll from Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, where the film is set, gives way to scenes shot in downtown Southport.

The story concerns a group of young teenagers, including Mason Thames of Wilmington-shot horror film "The Black Phone," as they come to believe some kind of entity is hunting local children.

Gibson plays a super-scary, retired detective who helps the kids out, and the film also stars Kevin James (TV's "The King of Queens"), Lorraine Bracco ("The Sopranos") and Patrick "You're Killin' Me, Smalls" Renna of "The Sandlot" fame. In the trailer, Renna plays an umpire, a nod to his role as a little league catcher in "The Sandlot."

Overall, the "Monster Summer" trailer bears very much of a "Goonies" vibe. "Monster Summer" was directed by the actor David Henrie, and was written by Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano, who co-wrote "The Peanuts Movie" together.

During its time in town, "Monster Summer" shot scenes in downtown Southport near Port City Java, by the Southport Market general store at the intersection of Moore and Howe streets, and in the area of the Provision Company and Fishy Fishy restaurants.

The historic Amuzu Theatre was also used as a location and showed off some early '90s movie posters, indicating the era when the film appears to be set.

Gibson made of a bit of stir while shooting the film and was spotted several times in Southport, including at Mr. P's Bistro on Howe Street.

Wilmywood: Big star, small town: Mel Gibson makes minor stir as new movie shoots in Southport

Kevin James attracted attention while shooting the film when he went out to eat in Oak Island.

Southport, of course, has hosted its share of movie shoots over the years, including "Sleeping with the Enemy" (1991), "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997), "Safe Haven" (2013) and "Greedy People," which hits theaters Aug. 23.

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Gibson is a two-time Oscar nominee for best director who won in 1996 for "Braveheart," which won Best Picture and in which he also starred. He's is known for starring in the "Mad Max" movies and the series of "Lethal Weapon" cop-buddy comedies, and has directed a half-dozen films including "The Passion of the Christ," "Apocalypto" and "Hacksaw Ridge," for which he was Oscar-nominated as best director.

Gibson has also faced significant criticism for more than a decade for making racist, sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic comments.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Monster Summer starring Mel Gibson shot in Southport, Wilmington, NC