Mel Gibson Blames Wild Side on ‘Bjorn the Viking’ Alter Ego
Mel Gibson opens up about his so-called inner demon, Bjorn the Viking, claiming this ‘bestial’ alter ego is behind some of his most infamous moments. What’s really going on inside Gibson’s head?
Anyone who’s ever had a go at Mel Gibson for his behaviour might be rethinking things after hearing his latest revelation. According to Gibson, he’s not always the one behind his most notorious moments. Instead, he points the finger at a shadowy figure he calls Bjorn the Viking—his so-called ‘bestial side’ that he’s been trying to keep under wraps.
At first, it sounds like he’s taking the mickey. But Gibson insists there’s a part of him that’s a bit of a wild bloke, and it’s this inner Viking who’s responsible for some of his more questionable antics. For those who remember his infamous outbursts—like the 2006 arrest, the ugly voicemails to his ex, and a string of other incidents that nearly torpedoed his career—Gibson now suggests it might not have been entirely his fault.
Meet Bjorn: The Viking Within
Back in 2001, when he was still one of the biggest names in the business, Gibson gave a rather odd interview. He described his alter ego in vivid detail:
“He’s got Viking horns, and I imagine myself trying to bury him, and he’s, like, in the grave, and I’ve packed dirt real tight on him, and I’m shovelling it down, when suddenly this hand starts appearing.”
He went on to say,
“My insanity doesn’t come out very often, because to exist in society, you have to work on that and keep it in check.”
Despite his efforts to keep Bjorn buried, Gibson admits it’s not always a winning battle. He reckons this ‘bestial side’ sometimes gets the better of him, leading to moments he’d probably rather forget.
Controversy and Denial
Gibson’s history is littered with incidents that have drawn plenty of criticism. From his infamous comments about feminism—
“a term invented by some woman who got jilted”
—to sacking a female business partner with a choice insult, and refusing to apologise for homophobic remarks, he’s never been far from controversy. But now, he seems to suggest that Bjorn might have been the real culprit all along.
He’s baffled by the way people see him, asking,
“Why is it that people define me as a right-wing misogynist? It’s baffling. I’m not like that at all.”
He even jokes about his reputation, saying,
“I guess it’s because I’m Catholic, have ideas on birth control, and used to joke about keeping women barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. So it seems that I’m some sort of brute.”
Trying to Keep Bjorn in Check
Gibson claims he works hard to keep his wild side under control, but admits it’s not always easy. He paints a picture of an ongoing struggle, with Bjorn constantly threatening to break free. Whether or not punters buy his explanation, it’s clear Gibson sees his alter ego as a real force in his life.
So, next time you hear about one of Gibson’s outbursts, remember—he reckons it might just be Bjorn the Viking making an appearance, not the bloke himself.