Mel Gibson, fresh off directing Mark Wahlberg in the thriller Flight Risk, is excited to return to Las Vegas for another film project.

“The production experience in Vegas was exceptional,” the Lethal Weapon actor shared with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Mark Wahlberg is a hardworking and talented actor. I’m sure Vegas will embrace him even more next time. I look forward to coming back for bigger projects.”

Gibson and Wahlberg, who previously worked together in Father Stu and Daddy’s Home 2, have developed a strong professional relationship, with Gibson playing Wahlberg’s father in both films.

As part of his ongoing Hollywood efforts, Gibson was recently named a special ambassador to Hollywood, alongside Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone, by President Trump. In January, Trump announced that these icons would help revive Hollywood, which has faced growing competition from foreign countries in recent years.

Gibson, who learned of his appointment from Trump’s social media post, said he’s ready to support the industry in any way possible.

Despite his new role, Gibson expressed concerns about the declining film production in California. “I had to shoot a film in L.A. for one day, but it was cheaper to fly the entire crew to Europe for three days than shoot locally. That’s a major problem,” he explained. He pointed to former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s attempts to address these issues, but noted the challenges that persist.

Gibson emphasized the need for competitive tax incentives in California to keep the state a viable choice for filmmakers. “Many people have left the state, and I understand why,” he said, agreeing with Sean Hannity that rising costs and regulations are driving talent elsewhere.

While many stars have relocated, Gibson remains in Malibu, citing a sense of responsibility to the local community. “If everyone leaves, who’s left to fix things?” he asked. He added that as a Hollywood ambassador, he would work with other industry leaders, like Voight and Stallone, to address the issues holding California back.

Wahlberg has already moved his family to Nevada, which he sees as a promising alternative to California. “I want to make Nevada ‘Hollywood 2.0,'” Wahlberg told Fox News in 2023. He is supporting a bill to build a movie studio in Summerlin, just outside Las Vegas, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. This new development is expected to create 10,000 jobs, with salaries significantly higher than current industry standards.

Wahlberg’s vision includes training local talent both in front of and behind the camera, aiming to provide more job opportunities for Nevada residents. He’s hopeful that a tax credit for the state will encourage more film production in Nevada and help position it as a new hub for the entertainment industry.

In an era where Hollywood struggles to compete with global markets, both Gibson and Wahlberg are determined to bring more business—and jobs—to areas outside California, particularly Nevada.