Mel Gibson’s back in first image from Blood Father

That headline is actually a pun since this first photo is actually a shot of Mel Gibson‘s back. Sorry to trick you like that, but it is the first official image from his new film, BLOOD FATHER, which may be the first role to bring Mel back to wide audiences in a lead role.

Jean-Francois Richet, director of MESRINE, is helming BLOOD FATHER and posted this image on his Facebook page without comment. Maybe a review of the film’s plot would help.

Scripted by THE TOWN’s Peter Craig, the thriller is about an ex-con who reunites with his estranged wayward 16-year old daughter to protect her from drug dealers that are trying to kill her.

What we can see in this image is that Mel looks pretty ripped. There are the slightest hints of tattoos on his back near the shoulders. BLOOD FATHER has been compared to TAKEN, which seems fitting with the subject matter. This hopefully will do for Mel what that film did for Liam Neeson.

Lionsgate acquired BLOOD FATHER for distribution last year so hopefully we will see some actual footage soon. The film also stars William H. Macy, Elizabeth Rohm, Erin Moriarty, and Diego Luna. It does not currently have a release date, but expect to see it sometime this year.