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'Lethal Weapon 5' still in the works

Sep 24, 2008, 03:12 PM | by Nicole Sperling

Categories: Movie Biz

When reports surfaced this week that writer-director Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) had signed on to direct Universal's Cold Warrior, it threw Lethal Weapon fans into a tizzy because they feared another installment of the beloved franchise would never come to pass. Truth is, the delay has nothing to do with Black, who wrote the first Lethal script and has penned a long treatment for a fifth iteration. (In fact, he plans to take over the director's reins from Richard Donner.) Lethal number 5 still hinges on Mel Gibson, who's currenlty filming Edge of Darkness in Boston. Longtime Lethal producer Joel Silver has been trying to nail down approval from Gibson about Black's approach, which includes introducing a pair of young NYPD cops. Hey, if Bruce Willis can pull off a Die Hard 4, another Lethal Weapon should be a snap.


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jacob Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 07:33 AM EST

It is ridiculous to even consider the act of thinking the film should begin with danny glovers funeral. He is a great actor and obviously one of the key reasons the franchise has even gotten far enough to consider making a fifth.

Jc Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 08:53 AM EST

Allright Iv'e just been on Imdb. I made several mistakes. Mels 52. not 60 somthing. And its been 10 years since the las tone. All of a suden it doesnt seem like a bad idea for a 5th. LOL

Jc Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 08:49 AM EST

I love the movies but a fith one. They gotta be joking. Mels 60 sumthing. Has anyone seen him recently. He looks to old. He looked to old in the4th one. Its been like 12 years since then. Anyway. If they make it I will watch it.

ghost Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:30 PM EST

i think they should start the movie off with a funeral...Murtaugh's...that way you can pair Riggs up with Butters...that way Riggs can be "too old for this sh**" and Butters can be his over enthusiastic partner as they both hunt down Murtaugh's killer....should be one hell of a good flick!!! bring it on Shane Black!!

Jose Regalado Sun, Nov 9, 2008 at 10:43 PM EST

i say they should keep all the cast especially Joe Pesci cuz he adds comedy to an action movie and those two mix very well they should also keep chris rock and renne russo cuz it makes the whole lethal weapon come together like they are getting older it just fits and lethal weapon 5 is gonna be great i hope its jua=st as good as 4 cuz four is my favorite GO LETHAL WEAPON BRING ANOTHER BOX OFFICE HIT

Darrell Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

Yes, that is another thing. Enough with the characters already. It was enough to have Joe Pesci in the movie. Then they added Rene Russo...then Chris Rock. All of them together. Really. Come on.

If LW5 is going to fly, they need to strip it back of all the extras and frills and unnecessary comedy that isn't part of the rapport between Riggs and Murtaugh.

They need to get back to the basics of LW1...Riggs, Murtaugh and his family, and the bad guys that Riggs needs to go postal on. Only then can the movie come across as believable as a 'Lethal' weapon movie.

Billy Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 03:59 PM EST

LW is awesome if u hate it your crazy i would love to see another come out i would be the first to watch it all the actors are awesome Rigz please come back for a #5 if u wasnt in it. it wouldnt be LW.i hope they both retire together.

Scott Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

I love all 4, the 3rd being the first i can remember watching. The whole idea of armor piercing bullets just excited me. And bringing in the kung-fu chick for the lethal weapon to fall for was a great idea. The fourth i consider a spoof of the others, a true action comedy. Chris Rock, Jet Li and tbe actor who played Uncle Benny made that movie more re-watchable than most comedies i enjoy. To Shane Black: Bring on #5! Keep all of the previous actors, and dont turn Danny and Mel into background characters! Better yet, demote them again!

Scott Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

I love all 4, the 3rd being the first i can remember watching. The whole idea of armor piercing bullets just excited me. And bringing in the kung-fu chick for the lethal weapon to fall for was a great idea. The fourth i consider a spoof of the others, a true action comedy. Chris Rock, Jet Li and tbe actor who played Uncle Benny made that movie more re-watchable than most comedies i enjoy. To Shane Black: Bring on #5! Keep all of the previous actors, and dont turn Danny and Mel into background characters! Better yet, demote them again!

d.o Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 09:10 PM EST

I find it funny that people keep going back to the drunk driving and anti-Semitic angle on mel gibson...if we discredited everyone who has gotten behind the wheel drunk, used drugs, or said hateful things about another group of people, there would be very few actors or actresses in hollywood we would be able to watch movies in. What he said was wrong but get over it already, there are as many liberals who spout off as there are the other way...

chris Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

I think it would be great to see another Lethal. I liked Lethal 4, alot better than I did 3. If Stallone and Willis can do it, Gibson and Glover can too. I think Richard Donnor should be involved though. Plus as bad as most movies are today, it cant be any worse. Itll be good to hang out with some old friends.

buzzfunk Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 02:42 PM EST

I thought while the story for LW4 was terrible, Let lee stood out in a good way. But really it was Chris Rock who ruined the movie for me.

Shawn Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

As much as I'd like to see another Lethal Weapon movie, I actually enjoyed LW4 and thought that it brought the series to a proper conclusion. It seemed like they literally closed the book on it.

Brandon Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 05:41 PM EST

Jeez just let it die already. LW3 & LW4 were already bad enough and completely unwarranted. These movies don't work without a touch of insanity from Mel Gibson (who hasn't acted in or directed a good film in ages....'Apocalypto' was well made but so inaccurate it made me cringe.)

Gavin Bollard Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 05:21 PM EST

I don't think they could bring Mel as the lethal weapon back without killing his family. I'd hate to see them do that.

Instead, how about if Riggs got put in Roger's Shoes... ie: he loves life because of his family and he's getting ready to retire but the assign a "lethal weapon" partner (Iraq veteran?) to him.

He'd be trying to calm the partner down while being able to relate. He'd also want to call on Roger for advice.

Mells Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 03:35 PM EST

I'll pass on another LW. Die Hard 4 however, was excellent and extremely entertaining. But then again, Bruce Willis isn't a drunk-driving anti-semitic either....hmmm.

Darrell Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

The only way another LW would work is if they go back to the original concept of Riggs being a 'lethal weapon'. He was a tortured Vietnam vet who became unhinged due to personal tragedy. He didn't care if he lived or died and his psychotic behavior was the result. This is what made LW1 and LW 2 so good.

Once they basically turned him into a domesticated gumshoe,he was just another cop. The whole premise of being a 'lethal weapon' was a joke and forgotten conclusion. That is why LW 3 and LW 4 stunk as bad as they did.

They somehow have to turn Riggs back into a nutcase with a death wish.

dan Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 11:39 AM EST

How about Riggs takes on a bunch of overpayed, zero-talent, anti-semetic, drunk-driving, hate-mongers? That would be great. I think Mel would approve of that approach, no?

Jay Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 10:26 AM EST

I love LW, but even I say enough is enough. The fourth one was a complete joke and even the great chemistry between all the actors couldn't bring it up from it's dismal storyline. I say no, let this one franchise die with some dignity!

To Mike Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 07:11 AM EST

LOL!!!! Dude that is seriously funny!

Mike Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 02:54 PM EST

Aren't ALL OF US getting too old for this sh**?


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