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Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Mel Gibson reveals the reason behind Lethal Weapon 5 delay
The fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie has been stuck in development hell because "the studios are having a lot of problems", Mel Gibson has said. The 69-year-old actor is set to reprise his role as LA police officer Martin Riggs as well as direct the long-awaited sequel, though Gibson has revealed Warner Bros. has been facing internal issues that have slowed development down - despite the next 'Lethal Weapon' having "a really good screenplay". Speaking to Screen Rant, he said: "For some reason, the studios are having a lot of problems. I don't know what the deal is. 'I'm not sure what the problem is, but it is a really good screenplay." 'The Passion of the Christ' director teased that the fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie was the best entry in the series, and described it as "a lot of fun" and "really emotional". He said: "I sat down with a writer and we did two or three drafts of screenplays and it came out pretty good. In fact, I think it's the best of all of them. It's a lot of fun and got really emotional." Gibson has starred opposite Danny Glover in the 'Lethal Weapon' franchise since its debut in 1987, with the late Richard Donner helming the series behind the camera until the latest entry 'Lethal Weapon 4' in 1998. However, since Donner's passing in 2021 at the age of 91, the Oscar-winning filmmaker has picked up directing duties for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon'. The 'Mad Max' star said during an appearance on the 'Inspire Me' podcast: "I'm going to direct the fifth film in the Lethal Weapon series. "Richard Donner, who did the other four, sadly passed away and he was a good friend. He kind of tasked me with carrying the flag home on that one so it'll be an honour for me to do that." Gibson and the creative team for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie have been building on a script written by the late Donner. He said: "We've used what was there and we kept kind of poking at it and working at it. I'm pretty happy with it. It's good, I had a lot of fun doing it. "It's funny, but it's pretty serious too. It tackles a couple of hard issues. I'm looking forward to it." As well as Gibson's Martin Riggs, Glover's Roger Murtaugh is also confirmed to be returning for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon'. Gibson previously revealed that changes behind the scenes at Warner Bros. had caused delays on the next 'Lethal Weapon', and said at the time he hoped the movie would start shooting at the beginning of 2025 - though the flick is yet to enter production. The 'Braveheart' actor explained: "The only delay is now with all the shake-up at Warners, with Discovery coming in and the new boss, and they chop everyone else up and throw them away and get new people. "It always takes time for these companies to regroup, so that's been a delay, but I'm pretty confident we'll get this one up on its feet, probably shoot it in the first quarter of the New Year."
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Never too old for this s**t! Mel Gibson, 69, reunites with Lethal Weapon co-star Donald Glover, 78, at Q&A - 38 years after launching film franchise
It was a catchphrase that followed them across four blockbuster films, but Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were evidently not too old for this s**t as they reunited on Saturday. The co-stars were onstage at a fan expo in Philadelphia, during which they fielded questions about the hugely successful film franchise and its previously announced and long delayed fifth instalment, which will be directed by Gibson. Glover, 78 - whose Detective Roger Murtaugh famously claimed he was 'too old for this s**t' in all four Lethal Weapon instalments - was back in the spotlight some three years after his last screen appearance in 2022 black comedy American Dreamer. Joining the veteran star, Gibson, 69 - Murtagh's unpredictable and highly volatile partner Martin Riggs - showed off an enormous, greying beard as he took to his seat at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during Saturday's expo. Gibson previously confirmed that long-time co-star Danny will make an appearance in the latest film, reprising his role as LAPD Sergeant Murtaugh. The Australian star also told how he asked for Glover's blessing to direct the movie following the death of director Richard Donner - who took charge of the first four films. Reiterating his intention to direct the feature in 2022, Gibson told Entertainment Tonight: 'Yeah, I am directing that. I'm really looking forward to it.' The star went on to add that his place behind the camera was bittersweet following the death of Donner in 2021. He added: 'I wish I wasn't directing it. I wish Richard Donner was still here to do it but left us untimely, and he actually asked me, he said "Hey kid, if I don't make it, you'll take the reins, huh?" I told him to shut up. 'I think it's an honour for me to be able to carry the flag for him'. And after getting Richard's blessing, Gibson told how he then turned to Glover to ask his thoughts on him directing, also confirming that his former co-star had agreed to reprise his iconic role. Gibson added: 'I called Danny [Glover] up, of course, and said "Hey, dude, is it okay with you if I direct this?", to which Glover replied "Yeah, let's go". He also insisted on having complete faith in Glover, adding: 'I know Danny's going to pull it off real well, too. He's kind of like the show pony in this one'. Gibson made the big announcement about the new film in 2021, where he began his address by paying tribute to the filmmaker who had previously spearheaded the action-comedy franchise. Mel Gibson in Philadelphia on Saturday (left) and playing Detective Martin Riggs in 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2 (right) 'The man who directed all the Lethal films, Richard Donner, he was a big guy,' he expressed. Gibson also recalled that the filmmaker had given him his blessing to continue the series in the future. He remarked that Donner 'was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, "Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it." And I said: "Shut up."' Gibson then noted that the filmmaker made a point of telling various individuals that the actor was more than capable of keeping the franchise going after his death. 'But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn't say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So I will be directing the fifth one.' It's understood that plans to shoot the new film are now underway after years of delays, with original screenwriter Shane Black also onboard. The film franchise also spawned a TV series, which ran for three seasons for 2021 with Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh.
