Gibson stars in ‘Edge of Darkness’

Movie: "Edge of Darkness"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston

Director: Martin Campbell

The story: A Boston homicide cop investigates the death of his activist daughter, uncovering her secret life -- and corporate/government collusion that attracts an agent assigned to clean up the evidence.

The buzz: This gritty revenge thriller, based on an award-winning 1985 British TV series, marks Gibson's return to leading-man status after eight years of producing and directing movies -- and starring in tabloid headlines. It also marks director Martin Campbell's return to action; not only did he direct the original "Edge of Darkness" TV series (which starred "Jurassic Park's" Bob Peck), Campbell has helmed everything from 1998's swashbuckling "Mask of Zorro" (and its 2005 sequel) to not one but two James Bond reboots: 1995's "GoldenEye" (Pierce Brosnan's 007 debut) and 2006's "Casino Royale," which introduced Daniel Craig as the first blond Bond.