Mel Gibson has been announced as the director and star of the upcoming Lethal Weapon 5, the next, and likely last, entry in the Lethal Weapon series. The Lethal Weapon films follow two LAPD cops, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh (played by Gibson, and Danny Glover respectively), and the various criminals they need to take down. The first four films were directed by Richard Donner, whose death in 2021 left the fifth film in limbo.
Gibson, known for directing the films Braveheart and Hacksaw Ridge, is a natural fit for the role of director, having stared in the films since 1987. The franchise originated from Iron Man 3 director Shane Black, who wrote the first film's screenplay and contributed to the second one, before leaving the project over studio conflicts. The new entry will be the first in over 23 years to be made.
Now, THR reports that Gibson will direct and star in Lethal Weapon 5. In an interview with The Sun (reported by THR), Gibson talked about how Donner wanted him to direct the film in the event of his death. The decision was instigated by Donner's widow, Lauren, who helped Gibson take over the helm and push the project forward. The project is to be produced by Gibson, Dan Lin, and Shuler Donner.
The Lethal Weapon films were Gibson's first success in an international market, having made a name for himself in Australian cinema as the star of the Mad Max franchise, as well as Peter Weir's Oscar winning The Year of Living Dangerously. Lethal Weapon became a staple of the buddy cop genre, inspiring actors like Dave Bautista to this day, setting the stage for action crossed with humor and strong chemistry between lead actors. The film has inspired countless other buddy cop films, including Black's own Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005 and The Nice Guys in 2016.
Lethal Weapon 5 is seen as a continuing return to form for Gibson, having earned some public respect with Hacksaw Ridge, after multiple controversies regarding racist and anti-Semitic statements he's made in the past. Gibson is an odd example in the current cancel culture that defines how the public deals with public figures' t0xic behavior, having continued to find work after some years of staying out of the public eye. Gibson has also been cast in the upcoming John Wick prequel miniseries to air on Starz, showing that his career is certainly returning, but one wonders if the stain of his actions will be felt in the final entry of the Lethal Weapon franchise.
Source: THR