It feels like just yesterday when Mel Gibson, the controversial star who has made a surprising return to Hollywood prestige this year, was trash-talking the industry's obsession with superhero movies. Back in November, he bemoaned the bloated budgets these movies require, then dubbed Batman v Superman a “piece of shit.” But the new Gibson? The one with a box-office hit, a potential new role, and a handful of Oscar nominations for Hacksaw Ridge? He is apparently ready to get into superhero game.

The director confirmed Wednesday night that he's in talks to direct the upcoming Suicide Squad sequel—a movie coming from Warner Bros., the same studio that released Batman v Superman. Gibson discussed the news during a Q&A for a screening of Hacksaw Ridge.

“Is this getting close to a deal, or is this like a first date?” the moderator asked of the rumors.

“It's kind of a first date,” Gibson replied.

Variety reporter Justin Kroll also tweeted about the news, saying that according to his sources, if Gibson wants the job, “it's his.”

“While some might say he said he would never do a comic-book movie, I heard he is more intrigued by this cast then material,” Kroll continued.

Ah, so let's get back to that. Back in November, Gibson was discussing film budgets in an interview with Deadline when he was asked his opinion of the $200-million-plus budgets of modern superhero movies.

“I look at them and scratch my head,” Gibson said. “I’m really baffled by it. I think there’s a lot of waste, but maybe if I did one of those things with the green screens I’d find out different. I don’t know. Maybe they do cost that much. I don’t know. It seems to me that you could do it for less.”

Gibson then asked his interviewer how much Batman v Superman cost. After learning that it may have been north of $250 million, he gave his unbridled review: “And it‘s a piece of shit.”

He continued, slamming superhero movies as a whole. “I’m not interested in the stuff. Do you know what the difference between real superheroes and comic-book superheroes is? Real superheroes didn’t wear spandex. So I don’t know. Spandex must cost a lot.”

Nonetheless, the Suicide Squad sequel cast is potentially packed with an array of buzz-worthy stars, including Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jared Leto, and Viola Davis, all of whom starred in the first film. Perhaps then it’s understandable why Gibson—whose comeback is apparently complete—is interested.