Lethal Weapon (franchise)
Lethal Weapon is an American buddy cop action-comedy media franchise created by Shane Black. It focuses on two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. The franchise originally consisted of a series of four films released between 1987 and 1998, and later a television series which aired from 2016 to 2019. The first four films in the series were directed by Richard Donner and also share many of the same core cast members, while the television series recast the main roles with younger actors instead. Though the first film was not explicitly  a comedy, the later films and the television series gradually became comedic in nature. A proposed fifth "Lethal Weapon" film had been in talks and development since 2007, but has yet to make it into production. Films. Section::::"Lethal Weapon" (1987). 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). Section::::"Lethal Weapon 2" (1989). 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 and biting wit as a shield. Riggs kills the murderer of his wife who is among the criminals. Section::::"Lethal Weapon 3" (1992). 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 AWOL 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. Section::::"Lethal Weapon 4" (1998). While Lorna and Murtaugh's daughter Rianne are both pregnant, Riggs and Murtaugh once again team up with 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 personally attempts to murder Murtaugh's family by burning them alive  in their own home. As the story progresses, Murtaugh discovers that Lee is the father of his daughter's unborn child. The two slay dozens of Chinese gangsters and ultimately manage to 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. Section::::"Lethal Finale" (TBA). 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. A spec script treatment was written by Shane Black and Chuck Mondry, 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. 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. In February 2018, Donner revealed the  film's official title to be "Lethal Finale"; while also stating that the film is being held up by the production company and story. 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. 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. However, Donner died on July 5, 2021, leaving the  fate of the film unknown. Mel Gibson has been approached for potentially directing the film. Gibson confirmed in November 2021 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. It was also revealed that Richard Wenk ("The Equalizer", "") had drafted the screenplay. Television. Section::::"Lethal Weapon" (2016–2019). Deadline reported that Matthew Miller would create and co-executive produce a "Lethal Weapon" TV series with Dan Lin and Jennifer Gwartz for Fox. In February 2016, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Fox had officially picked up  the "Lethal Weapon" pilot, with McG directing and Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh. The cast was further expanded in February and March, with 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 on May 10, 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. On May 10, 2019, after three seasons Fox canceled the show. Cast and crew. Cast. Key