Mel Gibson's The Informant starts filming in New Mexico

Production has started on drama The Informant, starring Mel Gibson, in La Cruces this week, according to the New Mexico Film Office.

The Informant is the story of a terminally ill undercover narcotics cop who enlists the aid of his partner and their junkie informant to stage his death in order to support his financially struggling family. 

Alongside Gibson, the film also stars Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), and Nick Stahl (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines).

The upcoming feature is directed by Michael Oblowitz (The Traveler) and is produced by Daniel Cummings (Man Camp).

'We're thrilled to welcome The Informant to Las Cruces and bring new opportunities to our local film crew and small businesses,' Jon Sepp, Las Cruces film liaison, said.

The production will employ around 30 New Mexico crew members, two New Mexico principal actors, and approximately 10 local background talent.

A release date for The Informant is to be announced.

Las Cruces is one of the areas to benefit from the state's rural uplift credit, which gives a production a 5% incentive to film at least 60 miles outside of the Bernalillo and Santa Fe county corridor.

From July 2021 through May 2022, the area had 23 projects in the Las Cruces area with a direct spend of $7.9m into the local economy.