Jodie Foster doesn't want Mel Gibson to promote new movie

Jodie Foster doesn't want Mel Gibson to do any promotional work for his new film because she is afraid people won't want to see a movie with him in it.

The actress has directed her friend and 'Maverick' co-star in new movie 'The Beaver' and although Jodie praised his performance she admitted his recent personal troubles - including being sentenced to a year-long domestic violence counselling program - could affect ticket sales.

Asked if Mel would do press for the film, Jodie said, "I'm not sure anyone would even want him!"

"I'm not sure if I even want him to do any publicity. I certainly don't want him to do anything he doesn't want to.

"I know it's going to be tough to get past everything that's happened this year and have people thinking, 'Maybe it should be released at another time.' I just don't want the great talent Mel displays in this film to be lost. You won't forget it."

The movie, which also stars Jodie, sees Mel playing a man who speaks to a beaver hand puppet and Jodie revealed the actor gave it "everything he had".

She told Parade.com: "Mel is playing a man in a steep descent, having a mental breakdown. There's fear in his eyes. I play his wife and I know the man I married has died, not literally, but he's not there anymore. He's in a black hole and his family is hoping and praying he'll snap out of it. He's tried everything from books to counselling. Finally, he finds solace in a hand puppet that becomes such an integral part of his life and a strangely off-beat way to express himself.

"I hope people see Mel as the great artist he is. I think you should forget the face you saw in the tabloids and what you heard on TV and give him a chance because he trusted me and I trusted him. We love each other. He gave it everything he had."