Lethal Weapon is easily one of the most successful action film franchises of all-time. Created by writer Shane Black and directed by Richard Donner, the series redefined the odd-couple buddy-cop film formula by pairing the unhinged madman Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) with the equable family man Roger Murtagh (Danny Glover). As the two lovingly bicker with one another, they're tasked with bringing down a slew of violent criminals throughout Los Angeles.
The Lethal Weapon consists of four feature films spanning from 1987 to 1998. In total, the series earned more than $950 million in aggregated worldwide grosses and spawned a TV series of the same name that ran from 2016 to 2019.
Die Hard Crossover (Lethal Weapon)
Lethal Weapon's number one action-movie rival happens to be Die Hard. Both films were produced by Joel Silver and very well could have starred Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis in the swapped franchise starring roles.
Bruce Willis was originally offered the role of Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon. He turned down the role and went on to star as John McClane in Die Hard. Mel Gibson was also considered for the role of John McClane at the time, as was Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two action film franchises are further linked by the fact that Die Hard with A Vengeance actually originated as a script written for a Lethal Weapon sequel.
Original Beginning & Ending (Lethal Weapon)
The beginning and end of Lethal Weapon were written far differently than what is seen in the final version. Richard Donner filmed both scenes as written but opted to change them in the final edit.
The original opening of Lethal Weapon found Martin Riggs drinking alone in a bar when he is suddenly accosted by a gang of thieves. They gang tries to bully Riggs out of his pocket money, but Riggs waylays the entire barroom and his given a bottle of whiskey so long as he never returns. In the original ending, Murtagh expresses his desire to retire while Riggs urges him not to.
Suicide Stunt (Lethal Weapon)
One of the most memorable scenes in Lethal Weapon comes early on when the drug-addled Amanda Hunsaker (Jackie Swanson) leaps to her death off a towering skyscraper. Few people know that Swanson performed her own stunts in the film.
For the infamous suicide, a large airbag was hidden beneath a life-size painting of the carport and vehicles the woman crashes into. The painting seamlessly fuses into the real-life location, allowing Donner to focus the shot all the way up to the point Amanda makes contact with the disguised airbag.
Sequel Conception (Lethal Weapon 2)
When Lethal Weapon became a massive critical and commercial hit, producer Joel Silver immediately ordered a sequel. Shane Black was hired to pen the script, but his vision was deemed far too dark and violent by studio brass, who wanted a more comedic tone.
In addition to being far more violent, Black's script included the death of Martin Riggs at the end of the film. While producers loved the script otherwise, they wanted to keep Riggs alive for future sequels. This created a massive rift between writer and producer, causing Black to leave the series permanently. Black has claimed his original script for Lethal Weapon 2 was the best he's ever written although it's never been released publicly.
Leo Getz (Lethal Weapon 2)
Among the major changes made to Black's original script included the increased role of Leo Getz (Joe Pesci). The character originally had just one scene. Joe Pantoliano was offered the role but turned it down due to a scheduling hiccup.
When Pesci was cast, it was his idea to change the character from an effeminate yes-man to an overly eager assistant who uses his verbal "okay-okay-okay" motif. Pesci drew inspiration for Leo's schtick from Disney's Fantasyland employees who would often utter the same phrase. One year later in Home Alone, a visual joke to the catch-phrase is shown on a plumbing truck labeled "Oh, K Plumbing." Pesci stars in both films.
Conflicted Ending (Lethal Weapon 2)
Although Black's original script with Martin Riggs' controversial demise was rejected by Donner and Sliver, two versions of the ending were filmed. Riggs dies in one and lives in another. Upon testing both versions, audiences favored the one in which Riggs survives.
Since Donner was unsure how to end the film while shooting, he was forced to scrap an alternate ending set at the Murtagh's Thanksgiving dinner celebration. Riggs attends the dinner with Rika (Patsy Kensit), a female character Donner later decided needed to die.
Fiery Climax (Lethal Weapon 3)
For the incendiary finale of Lethal Weapon 3, producers were able to obtain a row of abandoned tract housing in Lancaster, California to detonate with 100% authenticity.
Twelve houses were chosen out of the 56 available on the tract. The EPA mandated that each house had to be sprayed with flame retardant and burned without the presence of wood, paper, plastic, wiring, insulation, or plumbing. This allowed for multiple takes as the fire could be lit and relit without causing major damage.
Perks Of Success (Lethal Weapon 3)
With an international box-office take of $321 million, Lethal Weapon 3 was the most successful film in the franchise. Following the massive success, Warner Bros. arranged a surprise party to gift Donner, Silver, and Gibson with brand new Range Rover vehicles.
However, Donner was only told he was attending a celebratory luncheon. As such, he invited Glover, Pesci, Rene Russo, and writer Jeffrey Boam to attend with the lunch with him, prompting Warner Bros. to race across town and purchase brand new Range Rovers for every guest.
Original Concept (Lethal Weapon 4)
Once Shane Black left the franchise, Jeffrey Boam was hired to rewrite Lethal Weapon 2 and pen Lethal Weapon 3. Boam even wrote a script for a fourth film that was unused, which would have pitted Riggs and Murtaugh against a Neo-Nazi terrorist plot in Los Angeles.
While producers enjoyed the script, it was ultimately scrapped for unknown reasons. Boam maintains his draft is superior to the final cut of Lethal Weapon 4, which suffered several rewrites and script changes along the way.
Rushed Production (Lethal Weapon 4)
Although Lethal Weapon 4 was released theatrically on July 10, 1998, filming began just seven months earlier in January. Believe it or not, the film was released in theaters just 33 days after principal photography was completed.
As a result of the rushed production, editor Frank J. Urioste had to cut the film using Avid, a digital editing software program that he had never worked with before. Although it grossed $285 million on a $140 million budget, the film marked the end of the Lethal Weapon franchise.