Mel Gibson's 'Beaver' to get UK cinema release

Mel Gibson's movie The Beaver will get a UK cinema release in early 2011, according to the Film Distributors' Association schedule.

The Jodie Foster-directed comedy, which centres around a man who believes his beaver sock puppet is real, will open in the UK on February 11, 2011 via Icon.

Icon is the distribution arm of the production company founded by Gibson and his Australian producing partner Bruce Davey.

The film faces strong competition from Black Swan, Just Go With It, No Strings Attached and Yogi Bear, which also bow in the UK that week.

The fate of The Beaver in the US appears to be up in the air as distributor Summit Entertainment has yet to set a theatrical release date. Recent reports surfaced claiming that the movie will go straight to DVD Stateside.

"When you love a friend, you don't abandon them when they are struggling," Foster earlier said of Gibson's personal problems. "He is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment."

The Beaver co-stars Foster, Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence.