Mel Gibson returns to acting in corporate cover-up film "Edge of Darkness"

After eight years behind the camera as director of Oscar winner "Braveheart" and box office smash "The Passion of the Christ," Gibson makes his acting comeback in "Edge of Darkness."

The revenge movie has Gibson playing Thomas Craven a Boston homicide detective whose investigation into the murder of his 24-year old daughter, his only child, unveils murky corporate wheeling, dealing and government collusion.

"The dark side of large companies is a particularly relevant theme now given what we've witnessed from large corporations and their participation in the economic crisis," Gibson told reporters. The film is already a U.S. box office hit and is due for release in Spain on Feb 26.

"Edge of Darkness," based on a BBC miniseries of the same name, met with widespread critical acclaim when it aired in 1985 and its original director, Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") is the man who has now brought it to the big screen.

"I was a fan of the BBC series and remember being affected by it. The fact that Martin did the series provided extra security," Gibson said, adding that his aim was to bring a "touch of reality" to the role of Craven.

The U.S.-born actor who grew up in Australia said he had felt the time was right to return to acting after a break. "I decided to cool off in the acting department," he said. "I felt I was a bit stale."