Did Mel Gibson Decline a $35M Role in Rob Reiner's Upcoming Movie?

In December 2025, director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were fatally stabbed in their Los Angeles home. Police arrested Nick Reiner, the couple's 32-year-old son, whom prosecutors charged with two counts of first-degree murder. 

Reiner was known for directing movies including "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," "Misery" and "A Few Good Men," as well as a decades-long acting career.  

Since news broke of the Reiners' slaying, Snopes has covered numerous rumors about the family, including the false claim Nick Reiner is transgender, the rumor there were secret tunnels under Reiners' home and the unsubstantiated claim that Rob Reiner had ties to Jeffrey Epstein. 

Reiner was politically active and frequently criticized U.S. President Donald Trump. Snopes covered his reaction to the shooting death of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, as well as his comments in 2017 that Trump was "mentally unfit" and "unqualified" to be president.

Here are the rumors involving Reiner we've investigated: