Actor Mel Gibson to direct film in old hometown Sydney

Oscar-winner Mel Gibson is looking forward to returning to Australia where he grew up to film and direct a World War II drama called Hacksaw Ridge.

Gibson told reporters in Sydney on Thursday the film would be shot around in the city and around New South Wales, and tells the unlikely true story of an American soldier who refused to pick up weapons as he objected to war.

Instead Desmond Doss became a Pacific medic on the frontline battlefields against Japanese troops.

He was later awarded the Medal Of Honor for his duty.

Gibson was born in the U.S. but his family moved to Sydney when he was 12, and he later studied acting at Australia's renowned NIDA dramatic school.

"I can't think of a better place to shoot this film than here in Sydney and NSW, where I was fortunate to have grown up and started my career," Gibson told reporters.

"The movie is quite inspirational -- it's about a man who wouldn't touch a weapon and yet wanted to be part of saving lives in the worst place on earth."

"Okinawa, I think more life was lost in that Pacific battle than in any other Pacific battle."

"They were all bad but there were over 300,000 casualties."

The film will star Vince Vaughan and Atavar and Terminator star Sam Worthington, the latter also from Australia.

Gibson has been in Sydney for around a month and has been spotted dong his own shopping at his local supermarket.

Pre-production has already begun and will be a boost to Australia's filmmaking industry. Endi