Mel Gibson has taken flight to the ‘Lethal Weapon’ franchise. The Hollywood actor turned director will direct the fifth and likely final instalment of the action centered film.
Gibson confirmed the news about his attachment at a talk session at the ‘Experience With…’ event in London last Sunday. He disclosed Richard Donner, the late film director who directed the first four parts of the franchise asked him to take over the reins when he passes away.
”Listen, Kid, if I kick the bucket, you will do it.’ And I said, ‘Shut up”, said Gibson. “He did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and, at the time, I didn’t say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So, I will be directing the fifth one.”
Dan Lin of Rideback will produce alongside Shuler Donner and Gibson. Jonathan Eirich from Rideback will executive produce together with The Donner’s Company’s Derek Hoffman. Richard Wenk’s (The Equalizer) penned piece is currently shelved by the franchise as a working with draft for the fifth project.
Gibson’s involvement with the franchise dates back to over 30 years ago when he co-starred as LADP detective Martin Riggs opposite Danny Glover in the first entry of the franchise. The success of the first submission gave production rights to three sequels in addition to a prequel TV series that ran from 2016 – 2019. Clayne Crowford and Damon Wayans starred in the series as young Gibson and Glover respectively.
