Downey was able to return to the big screen after Mel Gibson, who had been a close friend to Downey since both had co-starred in "Air America", paid Downey's insurance bond for the 2003 film "The Singing Detective" (directed by his "Back to School" co-star Keith Gordon). Gibson's gamble paved the way for Downey's comeback and Downey returned to mainstream films in the mid-2000s with "Gothika", for which producer Joel Silver withheld 40% of his salary until after production wrapped as insurance against his addictive behavior. Similar clauses have become standard in his contracts since. Silver, who was getting closer to Downey as he dated his assistant Susan Levin, also got the actor the leading role in the comedy thriller "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", the directorial debut of screenwriter Shane Black.