As a long-time fan who grew up watching Mel Gibson’s iconic performances, particularly in the Lethal Weapon series, it’s thrilling to see him back and ready to take on yet another adventure with Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. His determination to direct and star in the long-awaited sequel while also working on The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is nothing short of inspiring, even if it does sound like a herculean task.
68-year-old Mel Gibson is adamant about showing he’s still got it for action movies, sharing an update on the highly anticipated sequel to “Lethal Weapon.” In a chat with Comicbook.com, Gibson disclosed that he intends not just to star in but also direct the upcoming “Lethal Weapon” sequel, all while concurrently working on the development and production of his biblical sequel, “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.” However, each project comes with its own set of challenges. For instance, “The Passion of the Christ” must find a way to address the age of its lead actor, Jim Caviezel, while “Lethal Weapon” faces hurdles as Gibson does not hold the rights to the franchise.
What seems to be Gibson’s strategy for addressing these problems, and in what order will his films be released? At this point, it appears that he is unsure about the specifics. However, it’s clear that he is determined to bring both films to life.
“It’s interesting because there are countless factors that can make or break a film project. It’s not just about money, but a myriad of reasons why something works and why it doesn’t. So, it’s essentially a game of chance at this point which issues will surface first, and the sequence of events is often hard to determine, much like deciding if the chicken or egg came first.
First introduced to viewers in 1987, the film “Lethal Weapon” presented the unforgettable partnership of two LAPD detectives, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. Riggs was a former Green Beret with a penchant for death, while Murtaugh, then 50, was already feeling too old for the job. Portrayed by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, this dynamic duo quickly became genre staples, leading to multiple sequels. The last time we saw them together was in “Lethal Weapon 4” in 1998, and fans have been yearning for their return ever since.
Lethal Weapon 5 Will Be Based on an Idea by Richard Donner
As a cinephile looking back at Hollywood’s tumultuous past, I can’t help but notice the remarkable comeback of Mel Gibson. During the mid-2000s, personal struggles with alcohol and a string of controversies—including antisemitic outbursts, allegations of homophobia, racist remarks, and a restraining order filed by his former partner Oksana Grigorieva due to domestic violence concerns—made it seem like he might be permanently blacklisted. However, against all odds, Gibson has managed to navigate the industry’s complex landscape and find his way back.
Previously announced, Gibson has shared his intentions to both direct and act in Lethal Weapon 5, disclosing that the plot is predominantly inspired by a concept that the late and esteemed Richard Donner had been developing prior to his passing in 2021.
I will be taking over as director for the fifth installment in the Lethal Weapon film series. Unfortunately, our longtime collaborator Richard Donner, who directed the previous four films, passed away. He was not only a talented filmmaker but also a close friend, and he entrusted me with continuing his work on this project. It’s a great honor for me to step into that role.
Richard Donner had made substantial progress on the script, so we utilized what he had written and continued to refine it, adding small adjustments here and there. I must admit, I’m quite pleased with the outcome; it’s solid, and I enjoyed the process immensely.
At one point, Gibson seemed optimistic that the next Lethal Weapon movie would film by early 2023. Therefore, it’s best not to hold your breath with anticipation quite yet.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-26 15:01