Mel Gibson Shares Exciting Update on ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ Script Quality

Mel Gibson has provided fans with an exciting update regarding ‘Lethal Weapon 5’, expressing confidence in the script’s quality. The much-anticipated sequel has been a topic of discussion for years, yet production has yet to commence.

In a conversation with Collider at Fan Expo Boston, Gibson revealed that the new film will depict Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh at a significantly different stage in their lives. The characters have aged, and the narrative will not depend on the large-scale action sequences that became prevalent in the later installments.

“The characters are quite different. They’re older. One’s retired. The other one’s on a desk job. He’s putting on too much weight, and it’s low-tech,” Gibson stated.

However, this does not imply that the film will abandon the franchise’s essence. Gibson assured that the movie will retain the energy of an action film, focusing more on character development and their relationships.

“It doesn’t get into the big explosions and all this sort of stuff. But it still has the energy and, I think, drive of a big action film,” he elaborated.

Gibson also hinted at a unique approach to action sequences. Rather than attempting to outdo previous films with grander scenes, the sequel will incorporate simpler concepts in innovative ways.

“It’s a foot chase, right? But it’s kind of filmed like a car chase,” Gibson said. He emphasized that the film will still include familiar elements from earlier movies while placing greater emphasis on the characters at the heart of the story.

Gibson intends to direct ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ if the project moves forward, a significant step since original director Richard Donner had expressed a desire for Gibson to take the reins of the franchise.

Gibson recounted a conversation with Donner, who had asked him to direct the next installment if anything were to happen to him. Initially, Gibson did not take the request seriously, but Donner sadly passed away in 2021.

Following Donner’s death, Gibson collaborated with writer Richard Wenk to finalize the script. They aimed to approach the story with the question of what Donner would have wanted.

“Donner, when he was 90 years old, was working on the fifth, and of course he passed away in the middle. So I got together with the writer, and we completed it thinking, ‘What would Donner do?’” Gibson expressed pride in the completed screenplay, believing it to be the strongest in the franchise.

“I think that the fifth script is better than all of the others,” he remarked. The main hurdle remains getting the film into production, as Gibson noted that the project has been stalled due to studio complications, describing it as “some kind of industrial film hell.”

The original ‘Lethal Weapon’ premiered in 1987 and became a massive success, leading to three sequels featuring Gibson and Danny Glover. With ‘Lethal Weapon 4’ released in 1998, the proposed fifth film would mark a return over two decades later.

Currently, there is no confirmed production date. However, Gibson suggested that recent changes involving Warner Bros. and Paramount could potentially pave the way for ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ to finally progress.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!