Lethal Weapon (franchise)

Films

''Lethal Weapon'' (1987)

Main article: Lethal Weapon

Anxious with age and retirement, homicide detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is partnered with young and suicidal narcotics officer Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Together, they work the case of the alleged suicide of Amanda Hunsaker (Jackie Swanson), daughter of a wealthy businessman who served with Murtaugh in Vietnam. Murtaugh and Riggs soon discover that Hunsaker was involved in a heroin-smuggling scheme led by a retired general (Mitchell Ryan) and his lead enforcer (Gary Busey).

''Lethal Weapon 2'' (1989)

Main article: Lethal Weapon 2

During a car chase, Riggs and Murtaugh stumble upon a trunk full of smuggled South African Krugerrands. This sparks a series of attempts at their lives, forcing them to take a less dangerous case, protecting Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a loud-mouthed whistleblower with whom they gradually bond and befriend. However, they realize that Getz was involved in the same South African illegal activities. As a result, the three men become entangled in a drug-smuggling operation involving South African diplomats in Los Angeles, using their immunity as a shield. Riggs kills the murderer of his girlfriend, who is among the criminals.

''Lethal Weapon 3'' (1992)

Main article: Lethal Weapon 3

As Murtaugh, who is one week from retiring, and Riggs investigate a robbery committed using a duplicate armored car, they find themselves in the middle of an Internal Affairs investigation led by Sergeant Lorna Cole (Rene Russo). With assistance from Leo, they learn that the subject of the investigation is a rogue cop (Stuart Wilson) who is stealing impounded weapons and selling them on the black market. During the investigation, Murtaugh shoots and kills a teenager who attacks him and Riggs; he turns out to be a friend of his own son. This prompts Murtaugh to capture the man responsible for the distribution of illegal firearms and to rethink his retirement.

''Lethal Weapon 4'' (1998)

Main article: Lethal Weapon 4

While his girlfriend Lorna and Murtaugh’s daughter Rianne are both pregnant, Riggs again teams up with Murtaugh and Leo as well as rookie Detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock) to investigate a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring. Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li) is a ruthless enforcer who attempts to murder Murtaugh's family by burning them alive in their home. Murtaugh discovers that Butters is the father of his daughter's unborn child. The two kill dozens of Chinese gangsters and catch up with the boss of the smuggling ring. Riggs and Lorna are married at the end of the film as their child is born.

Proposed fifth film

Since 2007, there had long been talk of a fifth Lethal Weapon film, although both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover initially expressed a lack of interest. Gibson confirmed in November 2021 that he was in talks to direct and star in the fifth film, saying that he would be helming the film to honor Donner, who wrote the screenplay and was originally set to direct the film prior to his death in July 2021. It was reported that Richard Wenk (The Equalizer, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back) had drafted the screenplay.

In June 2024, Gibson confirmed in an interview with the Inspire Me podcast that he would direct the fifth installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise and that the film would stay true to Donner's vision and influence. Gibson also stated that he and Glover would return to play their respective roles of Riggs and Murtaugh.

In September 2024, Gibson attended FanX Comic Convention in Salt Lake City, where he talked about the franchise, while voicing his frustration as to why Hollywood producers were not giving him approval to work on the film. He said, "The fifth one is written. It's interesting. It's been held up for one reason or another. There's always issues with these things. I think it's the best one of the whole series. But it just won't get made for some reason or another. I can't even explain why."

Television

''Lethal Weapon'' (2016–2019)

Main article: Lethal Weapon (TV series)

A television adaptation of the film series was developed by Matthew Miller as co-executive producer, along with Dan Lin and Jennifer Gwartz for Fox. Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans starred as Riggs and Murtaugh. Other cast include Keesha Sharp replacing Golden Brooks as Trish, Jordana Brewster as Dr. Maureen Cahill, Kevin Rahm as Captain Brooks Avery, Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh, Dante Brown as Roger "R.J." Murtaugh Jr., Johnathan Fernandez as Scorsese, and Thomas Lennon in the recurring role of Leo Getz. Fox gave Lethal Weapon a series order in May 2016. For the third season, Crawford was replaced by Seann William Scott, as a new character named Wesley Cole. Crawford was fired from the show after Fox and Warner Bros. refused to aid in escalating tensions between Crawford and Wayans, and the series killed off the character of Riggs. After three seasons Fox canceled the show in May 2019.

Cast and crew

Cast

• A indicates the actor portrayed the role of a younger version of the character.
• A indicates the actor portrayed the role of the character in a photograph.
• A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film.

Crew

Reception

Box office performance

Critical and public response

Music

Soundtracks

Singles

Other media

Video game

• Lethal Weapon – based on Lethal Weapon 3, released in 1992.

Pinball

• Lethal Weapon 3 - released in 1992

Theme park ride

• Lethal Weapon – The Ride

References

References

1. (November 15, 2021). "Back with a bang! Mel Gibson, 65, to direct and star in 'Lethal Weapon".
2. Kit, Borys. (2021-11-15). "Mel Gibson to Direct 'Lethal Weapon 5'".
3. Kroll, Justin. (2021-11-15). "Mel Gibson In Talks To Direct 'Lethal Weapon 5'".
4. McPherson, Chris. (June 18, 2024). "'Lethal Weapon 5' Will Have a Very Familiar Director". Collider.
5. Bythrow, Nick. (June 18, 2024). "Lethal Weapon 5 Gets Positive Update From Director & Star Mel Gibson 1 Year After Getting New Writer". Screen Rant.
6. Bonomolo, Cameron. (June 18, 2024). "Lethal Weapon 5: Mel Gibson Says "Funny, Serious" Sequel With Danny Glover And Joe Pesci And Chris Rock And Rene Russo Still in the Works". ComicBook.com.
7. O'Connell, Sean. (September 30, 2024). "Mel Gibson Raves About The Current Lethal Weapon 5 Script, But His Update On The Sequel Has Me Completely Bummed Out".
8. Andreeva, Nellie. (October 2, 2015). "''Lethal Weapon'' TV Series From ''Forever'' Creator Set At Fox As Put Pilot".
9. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 10, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon': Clayne Crawford To Star As Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs In Fox Pilot".
10. (February 12, 2016). "Damon Wayans Sr. to Star in Fox's ''Lethal Weapon'' Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter.
11. Andreeva, Nellie. (February 19, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Pilot: Golden Brooks Cast".
12. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 3, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Pilot: Jordana Brewster To Co-Star".
13. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 7, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon': Kevin Rahm To Co-Star In Fox Pilot".
14. Petski, Denise. (March 16, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Casts Chandler Kinney; Sarayu Blue Joins 'No Tomorrow'".
15. Ge, Linda. (March 15, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Pilot Casts Newcomer as Murtaugh's Son (Exclusive)". [[TheWrap]].
16. Petski, Denise. (March 17, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Pilot Casts Johnathan Fernandez; Tommy Savas In 'The Fluffy Shop'".
17. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 17, 2016). "'Lethal Weapon' Fox Pilot: Keesha Sharp Set For Co-Starring Role In Recasting".
18. Andreeva, Nellie. (May 10, 2016). "'The Exorcist', 'Lethal Weapon', 'Making History', 'Pitch', 'The Mick' & 'APB' Get Fox Series Orders". [[Penske Media Corporation]].
19. Goldberg, Lesley. (May 8, 2017). "'Lethal Weapon' Star Clayne Crawford Out as Producers Scramble to Recast".
20. Andreeva, Nellie. (May 10, 2019). "'Lethal Weapon' Canceled By Fox After 3 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood.
21. "Lethal Weapon (1987)". [[Box Office Mojo]].
22. "Lethal Weapon - Production Budget". The-Numbers.
23. "Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)". Box Office Mojo.
24. "Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)". Box Office Mojo.
25. "Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)". Box Office Mojo.
26. "CinemaScore". [[CinemaScore]].
27. "Lethal Weapon". [[Fandango Media]].
28. "Lethal Weapon (1987): Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
29. "Lethal Weapon 2".
30. "Lethal Weapon 2 (1989): Reviews".
31. "Lethal Weapon 3".
32. "Lethal Weapon 3 (1992): Reviews".
33. "Lethal Weapon 4".
34. "Lethal Weapon 4 (1998): Reviews".