Lethal Weapon was one of the highest grossing films of 1987, followed up by three successful sequels released in 1989, 1992, and 1998. For some time, Warner Bros. were trying to get a fifth installment off the ground, but it seemed as though it wasn't going to happen. That is until Warner Bros decided to follow in the footsteps of other movies hoping for a sequel, by moving across to the small screen.

Like Minority Report and Limitless before it, and the soon to air Rush Hour adaptation over at CBS, Warner Bros. announced back in October 2015 that a Lethal Weapon reboot was in development at Fox. At the time, scant details were known but now it's been revealed that Fox has ordered the show to pilot, and that one of the main roles is already cast.

According to The Wrap, Damon Wayans Sr., who first came to fame in sketch show In Living Color before he went on to write and appear in My Wife and Kids and The Underground, will take on the role of Roger Murtaugh, originally played by Danny Glover in the Lethal Weapon movies. As yet, there is no word on who will play the role of Martin Riggs, made famous by Mel Gibson, but it's a safe bet casting directors will be searching carefully for the perfect pairing with Wayans Sr. in an effort to recreate the great chemistry exhibited by Glover and Gibson on the big screen. After making his name on Living in Color, Wayans Sr. went on to write and appear in My Wife and Kids, and Underground.

Damon Wayans Sr. to star on Lethal Weapon pilot

The official synopsis for the Lethal Weapon reboot sounds incredibly similar to the films, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, Fox will surely be hoping to draw an audience based on those who enjoyed the original franchise. Read it, below:

When Texas cop and former Navy SEAL Martin Riggs suffers the loss of his wife and baby, he moves to Los Angeles to start anew. There, he gets partnered with LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh, who, having recently suffered a “minor” heart attack, must avoid any stress in his life.

Matt Miller (Forever, Chuck) will write and executive produce the pilot under his Good Session banner, while McG will direct. Also executive producing (along with Warner Bros.) are Dan Lin (The LEGO Movie, Sherlock Holmes) and Jennifer Gwartz. Miller and Lin previously worked together on Forever, which was canceled after one season.

Original Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner and producer Joel Silver will not be involved with the pilot or indeed the series if it gets a full order, but they have given it their blessing. In essence, that means that they are happy with the premise and the potential the show has.

Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon

Lethal Weapon joins an ever-growing list of TV adaptations of popular movies. As well as those previously mentioned, The Exorcist is also in development at Fox, while CBS is also bringing a Training Day adaptation to the small screen, and Cruel Intentions has found a home at NBC. Each and every one will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Limitless, which has been a hit - and not to emulate Minority Report, which had its run shortened to just ten episodes.

As yet, there is no word on when the Lethal Weapon pilot might appear, or any other casting details, but who would you like to see join Waymans Sr. as Martin Riggs?

Source: The Wrap