Mel Gibson has signed to work behind the scenes as an art director on "The Bombing," a big-budget World War II Chinese film starring Bruce Willis.

"Mel is interested in what happened during that period of time, and provided relevant suggestions on how to make the movie," said producer and director Dr. Shi Jianxiang, founder and CEO of Shanghai Kuailu Investment Group. "He is very insightful."

"The Bombing," based on the Japanese air raid of Congqing, marks the first art director credit for Gibson, who has been a star, director, producer, writer, even stuntman.

"'The Bombing' has an excellent world-class team with outstanding producers, directors, cast and crew," said Gibson, who last visited China 20 years ago. "Our crew is marvelous, modest but enthusiastic. It has been a very interesting experience filming this movie. We share similar objectives no matter who we are, actors or directors. So I am grateful to have such opportunities to express my thought no matter how much I have contributed to the movie."