Mel Gibson Officially Reveals First Plot Details for ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ [Exclusive]
Mel Gibson has confirmed that a completed screenplay for Lethal Weapon 5 exists, revealing the film has been built on groundwork laid by original director Richard Donner before his death. Speaking to Collider at Fan Expo Boston, Gibson said he and screenwriter Richard Wenk finished the script Donner had started developing at age 90, and that he remains committed to directing it himself, if the long-stalled project can finally break free of development difficulties.
Gibson reflected on what made the original 1987 film stand out, crediting Donner and writer Shane Black with giving Riggs and Murtaugh emotional depth rarely seen in 1980s action heroes. He said he and Wenk worked from the guiding question "what would Donner do?" while completing the script, and that he personally believes it is the strongest instalment in the franchise. Despite this, Gibson indicated the project remains caught in unspecified industry complications preventing it from moving into production.
- Gibson confirms a finished Lethal Weapon 5 script exists
- Screenplay completes work Richard Donner began before his death
- Gibson still wants to direct, but production remains stalled
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Mel Gibson and Danny Glover starred in the original Lethal Weapon films, a buddy-cop action series that began in 1987 and became one of the defining franchises of that genre. The films were directed by Richard Donner, who worked closely with Gibson over several decades and became a mentor figure to him. A fifth instalment has been talked about for years but has never gone into production, despite periodic updates from those involved.
Donner died in 2021, but he had reportedly been developing ideas for a new Lethal Weapon film before his death. Gibson has long been attached to direct any future instalment himself, having previously directed other films despite being best known as an actor. Richard Wenk, the screenwriter now working alongside Gibson, has written several other Hollywood action films.
The project matters to fans of the franchise partly because of its unusually long gestation and partly because of the personal connection between Gibson and Donner. Any update on its status, including news of a finished script, is notable given how many times the film has stalled without a clear explanation of the industry obstacles involved.