| Lethal Weapon 5 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mel Gibson |
| Produced by | Lauren Shuler Donner Dan Lin |
| Screenplay by | Richard Wenk |
| Based on | Characters by Shane Black |
| Starring | Mel Gibson Danny Glover |
| Music by | TBA |
| Cinematography | TBA |
| Editing by | TBA |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | TBA |
| Running time | TBA |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | TBA |
| Gross revenue | TBA |
| Preceded by | Lethal Weapon 4 |
| Followed by | End of series |
Lethal Weapon 5 is the fifth and final film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.
Plot[]
Plot is unknown.
Production[]
There had long been talk of a fifth Lethal Weapon film, although both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover had initially expressed a lack of interest. In 2007, Moviehole.net received word from sources that Warner Bros. were in the early stages of trying to relaunch the Lethal Weapon series sometime in 2009 or later.[1] A spec script treatment was written by Shane Black and Chuck Mondry,[2][3] leading to rumors that the sequel was on fast track by Warner Bros. with Black in the director's chair. In 2008, Richard Donner said, "Mel turned it down. I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn't involved." Donner said that he and Lethal Weapon 4 writer Channing Gibson "had an incredibly strong story for the fifth movie" but that the studio had opted to work with Joel Silver instead.[4]
In November 2017, Mel Gibson hinted that a fifth movie might happen and that he, Richard Donner, and Danny Glover have discussed the idea to return. In December 2017, Donner confirmed in an interview on the Spocklight podcast that Gibson and Glover have agreed to return as Riggs and Murtaugh respectively and that he has a story all set. The only obstacle is Warner Bros. greenlighting the film. Channing Gibson remains involved as screenwriter. The story will take place in present day and is intended to be the final film in the series.[5] In February 2018, Donner revealed the film's tentative title to be Lethal Finale; while also stating that the film is being held up by the production company and story.[6] In January 2020, producer Dan Lin confirmed that Lethal Weapon 5 is in active development, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover confirmed to return, and Richard Donner returning to direct, but that a script had not yet been finalized.[7] In December 2020, Richard Donner confirmed that he was developing the sequel and would produce and direct it, adding that it would be the last film he directs.[8] However, Donner died on July 5, 2021, leaving the fate of the film unknown.[9] Mel Gibson has been approached for potentially directing the film.[10]
On November 15, 2021, Gibson confirmed that he is in talks to direct and star in the fifth Lethal Weapon film, saying that he would be helming the film to honor Donner.[11] It was also revealed that Richard Wenk (The Equalizer, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back) had drafted a screenplay. The production will be exclusive to HBO Max with no theatrical release.[12][13]