As a huge fan of the Lethal Weapon movies, Mel Gibson, Richard Donner and the work of Shane Black, I was excited when news surfaced that Black had penned a treatment for Lethal Weapon 5.
However, I’m now torn due to the news that Black has been asked by producer Joel Silver to helm the project, leaving Dick Donner out of the project. Strange news indeed, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was an exceptional piece of entertainment, but I don’t know if I’d want to see a “Dickless” Lethal Weapon movie.
So why has Lethal Weapon 5 not been offered to Donner – and will Mel Gibson star in the film?
The answer is simple enough.
Several years ago Donner and Silver had a falling out, and it would appear that time has not healed the wounds. As Black now appears to be Silver’s new protégé (would you go near the Wachowskis again after Speed Racer?) it is the logical choice that he replaces Donner in the director’s chair – after all he did write the original movie.
Apparently the production now hinges of Gibson’s involvement (obviously), but will he want to make the film when his friend and mentor (the pair have made six films) has been sidelined? Well, we all know that money talks in Hollywood, and I’m sure that a huge paycheck will be used to sway the actor – his salary for Lethal Weapon 4 in 1998 was a reported $35 million, so expect an increase on that!
If the film does go ahead, expect Riggs and Murtaugh to be aided by a pair of young New York Cops (why not LA?).
I’m not too sure about this one anymore, but if somebody is going to replace Donner then I’m glad that it’s Black, but will he have the magic to make Lethal Weapon 5 a worthy sequel?
Source: EW
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Beyond the fact that I think this would look like self-parody with these guys at their age holstering up for another Lethal Weapon movie, I couldn’t stomach watching Danny Glover on the big screen considering his worship of Hugo Chavez.
The guy is a freaking moron IMO.
Vic
By now any ‘fans’ of the movie would’ve completely forgot the whole suicidal tendencies aspect that made the originals more than just cliche action films or a buddy cop movie.
Like Vic said, this would turn into just a joke and see-through version of the older ones.
Rev
TERRIBLE idea.
I hope its false.
I agree, this series which I really like is Donner’s BABY! He should direct!
> I couldn’t stomach watching Danny
> Glover on the big screen considering
> his worship of Hugo Chavez.
> The guy is a freaking moron IMO.
Poor guy, I guess it must be the age! Looks like he believes all the lies and rotten propaganda. Maybe time will show him the errors of his way?
ZAR.
Hugo Chavez?
Glover must have sustained head trauma during that fight with the Predator….
I hope they make this, and it BOMBS!
They should have quit after the second film.
Whats with that scary goat? Is gibson playing Moses?
Gibson and Glover are magic together. Loved all 1st 4 and have them in VHS & DVD. 4th was my favorite if I have to have one. People do get old, but age is a fact of life ~ even for you brats that want to throw older people under the bus. Remember this when you’re more “mature”.
Woah woah, where’s all that hostility coming from, Julie? =P
Rev
No hostility. Let’s see (assuming the movie actually happens) if two “old guys” can pull off another multi-million $$$ come-back. They are actors despite their age or preferences. Film-making is primarily for entertainment. We will be entertained or disappointed. If you don’t like the guys – simply don’t go see it!
@Julie
LOL, I’m 47 and I run this site.
I just think this is yet another case of dipping into a very old franchise for the sake of squeezing a final bit of cash out of it.
Although I’m a huge fan of the first one and I think I liked the second (don’t remember, really), I have no desire to see this.
Honestly, considering where Mel is at in his life right now I can’t picture him doing this.
Vic
Understand. Mr Gibson has made some pretty risky career choices on and off the screen. I’m sure that he is blatently aware of this. Perhaps he sees this as an opportunity to do something that has both familiarity and sentiment to it. Hopefully it won’t be a flop. That would be hard to take.
@ VIC –
@Mel’s picture – Is he playing Bin Laden in an upcoming film or what. Good grief, look out for little glowing red dots on the chest.
There throwing old ppl under a bus?
That’s horrible!!!
Is that what finally gets Riggs out of retirement?
@INK
LOL, I didn’t select that pic. You can thank Niall for that one.
Vic
If they do this, this should be the last one with the 2 actors and it should end with death, or apparent death, of 1 of them. I would say Riggs is apparently fatally wounded and he and his wife decide that’s it. Falling in line, Mutaugh also calls it quits and it ends with Murtaugh giving some wisdom to their replacements and then visiting the Riggs’ in Montana or some foreign country.
Thanks Niall!
Well, you really can’t beat a good beard!
Niall
http://yourargumentisinvalid.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/there_is_a_windmill_in_my_beard.jpg
Bring it on! I would love to see Martin Riggs and Sgt. Mertaugh go at it again! However i do have to agree that i would prefer that Donner do it! I might not like the way that this other guy “Shane Black” does it but who am i to critizize the man i never really seen anything of his so who knows it might turn out great! You just never can tell!