Young Aussie moviegoers were left traumatised this week after a scary trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest film played before a kids’ movie.
The film faux pas occurred during a screening of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 at Event Cinemas in Edmondson Park, located in Sydney’s South West.
Father of three David Campbell told News Corp that he and his wife took their three children – aged nine, 11 and 14 – to see the latest instalment in the popular video game franchise.
However, the youngsters were in for a rude shock before the film even began, due to the trailer for Mel Gibson’s upcoming movie, Monster Summer.
While the film has the same PG rating as Sonic The Hedgehog, Monster Summer tackles much darker themes.
The film follows a group of young friends who team up with a retired police detective to unravel the mystery of a strange force threatening to disrupt their summer fun.
Young Aussie moviegoers were left traumatised this week after a scary trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest film played during Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (pictured)
The trailer begins innocently, with the group of children enjoying their summer vacation.
But things take a sinister turn when the children are seen sneaking into Mel Gibson’s character’s backyard.
The Mad Max star then bursts into frame scaring the children who run off screaming.
In another scene, the children are swimming in a lake at night when a menacing creature can be heard lurking beneath the surface.
One boy disappears underwater, only to reemerge with sunken eyes, having undergone a terrifying transformation after his encounter.
From there, it’s a montage of monstrosity, with light bulbs exploding, a typewriter working by itself, and children screaming.
Mr Campbell told the publication that the scary scenes caused quite the commotion, with traumatised children screaming and crying as the trailer played out.
‘I just remember my wife and I locking eyes over the kids between us and mouthing “WTF” as the preview played,’ he said.
But the youngsters in the cinema were in for a rude shock before the film had even begun, thanks to a trailer for Mel Gibson’s latest flick Monster Summer. Pictured: Mel Gibson attending the Los Angeles Special Preview Screening of Monster Summer
The trailer begins innocently, with the group of children enjoying their summer vacation. But things take a sinister turn when the children are seen sneaking into Mel Gibson’s character’s backyard. Pictured: Mel Gibson in the trailer for Monster Summer
‘The whole thing was nuts because you are sitting in a dark theatre with your kids waiting for a wholesome film about the importance of team work and friendship and the next thing you know there are kids watching through their fingers and hugging their parents.’
Mr Campbell added that he had heard similar stories from parents who had taken their children to see the film over the summer holidays.
A spokesperson for Event Cinemas told News Corp that despite its PG rating, the cinema chain would be reviewing the placement of the Monster Summer trailer.
‘Coming to Event Cinemas should be a positive and memorable experience for all guests, and in light of this customer feedback, we are currently reviewing our trailer schedule for Monster Summer,’ the spokesperson said.
It comes after the Lethal Weapon actor discovered his Malibu mansion had been consumed by fire while recording an episode on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
‘I was kind of ill at ease while we were talking because I knew my neighbourhood was on fire, so I thought, “I wonder if my place is still there,”‘ he told NewsNation.
The film follows a group of young friends who team up with a retired police detective to unravel the mystery of a strange force threatening to disrupt their summer fun. Pictured: Mel Gibson in the trailer for Monster Summer
Mr Campbell said the scary scenes caused quite the commotion, with traumatised children screaming and crying as the trailer played out
Adding: ‘But when I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there.’
On Friday, his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed that Mel’s home of 14 years in Malibu was ‘completely gone’.
Adding that in one sense, he’s ‘been relieved from the burden of my stuff because it’s all in cinders,’ he said with a laugh.
‘I went home and I said to myself, “Well at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore”,’ Mel said to the outlet.
