Is 'Lethal Weapon 5' finally happening? Mel Gibson shares major update about the project
Mel Gibson shared a major update on 'Lethal Weapon 5', nearly 30 years after Riggs and Murtaugh last appeared together. The long-awaited sequel remains stuck in development, but Gibson says the script is finished. He also remains committed to directing the fifth film if it moves forward. Gibson said that the project could become the most character-focused entry in the franchise, with an older Riggs and Murtaugh facing very different circumstances in life.
Speaking with Collider at Fan Expo Boston, Gibson revealed that he and screenwriter Richard Wenk completed the script after director Richard Donner died. Donner had been developing the fifth film before his death in 2021. Gibson said the team approached the screenplay by asking what Donner would have done. Furthermore, Gibson also opened up on the script for the fifth film. “I think that the fifth script is better than all of the others,” Gibson said.
He compared its style to 'Apocalypto', which turned a simple foot chase into a sequence as intense as a car chase. Gibson has a personal reason for wanting to direct the movie. Donner reportedly asked him to take over the franchise if he could no longer make the fifth installment. “Absolutely, that was the plan,” Gibson said when asked if he would direct.
The actor also explained how the new story will differ from the earlier films. 'Lethal Weapon 5' will not try to match modern action movies with massive explosions and elaborate effects. Riggs and Murtaugh will be older. One character has retired, while the other has taken a desk job and gained weight. Gibson described the film as more low-tech, with the story putting greater focus on the two characters. The sequel will still have the energy of an action movie.
The update comes 28 years after 'Lethal Weapon 4,' which was released in 1998 and featured Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jet Li, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, and Chris Rock.
Gibson recalled Donner telling him to take over the project if he died. Gibson initially dismissed the idea, but Donner later told other people about the plan. After Donner's death, those people approached Gibson about directing. The screenplay is complete, but the movie still faces behind-the-scenes problems. Gibson said studio politics prevented the project from moving into production.
The 70-year-old remains hopeful that changes at Warner Bros. and Paramount will help clear the way for the film. He also suggested that the movie could reach production within another year if the situation changes. Danny Glover, who plays Roger Murtaugh, was at the same Fan Expo Boston event. Gibson said he hopes to make the film with Glover and finally bring the franchise back. There is still no confirmed production date for 'Lethal Weapon 5'. Gibson's latest comments show that the script is ready and that he remains committed to directing it. For now, the biggest question is whether the studio situation will finally allow Riggs and Murtaugh to return.
