A proposed model depicting how IFN-γ may play dual contrasting roles during the initiation as well as progression phases of melanomagenesis. IFN-γ may be involved in the survival and immunoevasion of UV-damaged melanocytes, leading to their entry into the equilibrium phase of the immunoediting paradigm. These mutated melanocytes would be prone to accumulating further mutations and/or epigenetic modulations and transformation. During the progression phase of the tumorigenic process, IFN-γ would aid either the immunosurveillance programs, leading to elimination of the tumor, or an immunoediting program that would help the burgeoning tumor evade anti-tumor immune response. Whether IFN-γ would act as a good guy (green) or a bad guy (red), may depend on the contexts of microenvironmental factors, tumor-specific antigenicity and signal intensity.