Editing Braveheart (section)

=== Development ===
Producer [[Alan Ladd Jr.]] initially had the project at [[MGM-Pathé Communications]] when he picked up the script from Randall Wallace.<ref name="gaspare88">{{Cite AV media |title=Making Of Braveheart Behind The Scenes Documentary |date=February 7, 2018 |format=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X20ii_zg_N4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529214229/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X20ii_zg_N4&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref> When [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) was going through new management in 1993, Ladd left the studio and took some of its top properties, including ''Braveheart''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_HtZAAAAMAAJ&q=Ladd+takes+Braveheart|title=Robin Hood: A Cinematic History of the English Outlaw and His Scottish Counterparts|last=Nollen|first=Scott Allen|date=January 1, 1999|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786406432|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630022548/https://books.google.com/books?id=_HtZAAAAMAAJ&q=Ladd+takes+Braveheart|url-status=live}}</ref> Mel Gibson came across the script and even though he liked it, he initially passed on it. However, the thought of it kept coming back to him, and he ultimately decided to take on the project.<ref name="gaspare88"/> [[Terry Gilliam]] was offered to direct the film, but he declined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a648383/mel-gibson-pranks-historical-blunders-and-jason-patric-20-facts-about-braveheart/|title=20 things you never knew about Braveheart|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=May 24, 2015}}</ref> Gibson was initially interested in directing only and considered [[Brad Pitt]] in the role of [[Sir William Wallace]], but later reluctantly agreed to play Wallace as well.<ref name="GB">{{cite magazine |title=Mel Gibson Once Threw an Ashtray Through a Wall During 'Braveheart' Budget Talks |date=2017-04-18 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mel-gibson-once-threw-an-ashtray-a-wall-braveheart-budget-talks-994955 |access-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418140834/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mel-gibson-once-threw-an-ashtray-a-wall-braveheart-budget-talks-994955 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also considered [[Jason Patric]] for the role.<ref>{{cite news |title=That Championship Season's Outspoken Jason Patric Has Quite a Few Things to Say About Hollywood, Few of Them Nice |first=Kevin |last=Gray |date=March 15, 2011 |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/03/jason_patric_interview_lost_bo.html |access-date=}}</ref> [[Sean Connery]] was approached to play King Edward, but he declined due to other commitments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23184348.braveheart-fantasy-epic-perturbed-constitutionally-disturbed/ | title=Braveheart: The fantasy epic that perturbed the constitutionally disturbed | date=December 11, 2022 }}</ref> Gibson said that Connery's pronunciation of "[[Goulash]]" helped him for the Scottish accent for the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sundaypost.com/news/scottish-news/sean-connery-gave-mel-gibson-appetite-for-braveheart/ | title=Sean Connery gave Mel Gibson appetite for Braveheart | date=June 29, 2014 }}</ref>

Gibson and his production company, [[Icon Productions]], had difficulty raising enough money for the film. [[Warner Bros.]] was willing to fund the project on the condition that Gibson sign for another ''[[Lethal Weapon (franchise)|Lethal Weapon]]'' sequel, which he refused. Gibson eventually gained enough financing for the film, with [[Paramount Pictures]] financing a third of the budget in exchange for North American distribution rights to the film, and [[20th Century Fox]] putting up the other two-thirds in exchange for international distribution rights.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/mel-tongue-ties-studios-1117926430/|title=Mel tongue-ties studios|author=Michael Fleming|date=July 25, 2005|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Daily Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="GB"/>