Lethal Weapon 2 (Image courtesy of Warner Bros.)
The actor says he will be in front and behind the camera in the franchise closer.
For many years, the talk of a fifth and final ‘Lethal Weapon’ has been banded about. The Director of the previous four entries, Richard Donner even confirmed that a fifth film would be incoming. He was said to be working on the script for the film, claiming not only would it be the final film in the franchise but his final film altogether. Donner even went as far as to say:
“It’s been my privilege and duty to put it to bed. It’s exciting, actually…Hahaha! It’s the last one, I’ll promise you that.”
MEL GIBSON TO BOTH DIRECT AND STAR.
Sadly, Richard Donner passed away earlier this year before the script had been completed. It was thought that that would be the end of any chance of a fifth movie being made. However, at the ‘An Evening With Mel Gibson‘ event that was held in London this past Sunday, we were given an update. And it came from the mouth of Martin Riggs himself, Mel Gibson. Gibson revealed that not only was the fifth film still on but he himself would be directing it. By doing this, Gibson claimed he was fulfilling a promise he made to Donner before the legendary director passed on.
GIBSON’S REVEAL.
According to the British daily newspaper, The Sun, Gibson is reported to have said:
“He 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.’ 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 to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So, I will be directing the fifth one.”
THOUGHTS
Now, I’m in two minds over this news. On the one hand, I love the ‘Lethal Weapon’ movies, and a fifth one, provisionally titled ‘Lethal Finale’ could be yet another great buddy-action film. Getting Mel Gibson into the director’s chair, to fulfill the promise he made to Donner is a really good idea. Who better to direct a new movie in the franchise than the main actor himself? Gibson would honor Donner’s legacy and continue the franchise in the vein for which it is known. As long as Gibson shows the same commitment to the film as Donner did, it could be a terrific ending for the franchise.
However, I can’t shake the feeling that the film won’t be what we want. Without Donner at the helm, the film could be a damp squib. Adding to that, I did feel the story was wrapped up nicely enough in 1998s ‘Lethal Weapon 4.’ Bringing Riggs and Murtaugh back one last time could tarnish the legacy of what’s gone before. However, I said the same thing about Sylvester Stallone’s 2008 ‘Rambo’. It finished the story off completely and didn’t need a fifth film. That didn’t stop Stallone from bringing back the character again. But the plan to send the film to HBO MAX instead of a theatrical release isn’t the way I’d go. A ‘Lethal Weapon’ film deserves to be shown on the big screen. But we shall see. Anything is possible.
‘Lethal Weapon 5’ or whatever the title ends up being is currently in development. Check back here at The Future Of The Force for any further updates on this continuing story.
Do you support the idea of a fifth ‘Lethal Weapon’ film? Do you think Mel Gibson will be a great fit in the director’s chair? Or do you think the franchise is past its sell-by date? Why not aim your thoughts at the comments section below!
Source: THR
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
