Mel Gibson’s film `The Beaver’ due out in March

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mel Gibson’s next movie finally has a release date.

Distributor Summit Entertainment announced Wednesday that Gibson’s comic drama “The Beaver” will open in limited release next March 23 and expand to more theaters on April 8.

The film has been in limbo amid Gibson’s custody battle with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, who claims he physically abused her.

“The Beaver” is directed by Jodie Foster and stars Gibson as a troubled family man trying to cope with help from an unusual friend _ a beaver puppet he wears on his hand.

Foster co-stars, along with Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence. Gibson and Foster previously co-starred in the Western comedy “Maverick.”