(Cover) - EN Movies - Jodie Foster says Mel Gibson had to stifle his comedy instincts whilst filming for The Beaver.

The Hollywood actor plays a depressed CEO of a toy company who dons a beaver hand puppet to communicate better with his wife and two sons in the dark comedy movie.

Jodie, who directed the drama, had to remind Mel that he was portraying a down-beat man at times, as he was sometimes a little too eager to play a comedy part.

Yeah and I pulled him back, she said, when asked if Mel wanted to take parts of the movie to comedic levels. His original instinct for the character was always a little bit darker than other people had anticipated, so I wasnt worried he was going to go off into some incredibly broad way.

However, there were moments in the film where Mel could unleash his comedy skills. The 48-year-old actress, who also appeared in the picture, was impressed with his ability to combine both tragedy and humour in the same vein.

There definitely were moments where he didnt want to have to resist the temptation because there were amazingly funny situations. Him having to fight and punch himself, its hard not to find comedy there, she explained in an interview with Screencave. In the screenplay, there was a note [from the screenwriters] saying, This scene must be played as seriously as a heart attack. (C) Cover Media