Mel Gibson Reveals Personal Touches in 'Lethal Weapon 5'
Mel Gibson discusses the upcoming 'Lethal Weapon 5,' revealing a more personal storyline and the challenges faced in production, especially considering the health of co-star Danny Glover.
In a recent interview, Mel Gibson shared insights about the long-anticipated film 'Lethal Weapon 5,' indicating that the storyline will take a more personal approach than its predecessors.
Fans of the franchise may have already lost hope for a fifth installment, especially following Danny Glover's revelation about his battle with Alzheimer's disease. This has led many to doubt the possibility of a satisfying conclusion to the iconic action series.
Despite the challenges, Gibson remains optimistic. In his conversation with Collider, he expressed hope that the recent merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures might revive the project. He stated, "Richard Wenk and I had the script ready and wanted to start production, but it never really got off the ground. I guess Warner ran into problems back then... so the film disappeared; and now this David Ellison from Paramount has taken over Warner or will take over. Maybe, just maybe, they will bring the project back to life; then you could see the film in a year or so."
The possibility is indeed there. Paramount's CEO David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, are known to be friends with former President Donald Trump, who recently played a role in bringing 'Rush Hour 4' to fruition. Trump has also appointed Gibson as a special ambassador for the U.S. film industry, despite Gibson's controversial status in Hollywood. The former president is reportedly a fan of action films and comedies from the '80s and '90s, which could influence his support for Gibson's project at Paramount.
Gibson also revealed what he envisions for the conclusion of the 'Lethal Weapon' series. Unlike 'Lethal Weapon 4,' which was largely a collection of action sequences, the fifth film will focus on a more nuanced narrative involving the beloved duo of Martin Riggs (Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Glover). He explained, "It connects only minimally to the previous films; it’s a completely different story. The characters are quite different. They are older. One is retired, the other has a desk job. […] There are no big explosions and all that. But it still has the energy and – as I see it – the momentum of a great action movie."
Given the circumstances, it’s understandable that 'Lethal Weapon 5' will not feature the same high-octane chases as before. Glover, at 80 years old, faces challenges due to his health, while Gibson, now 70, has managed to stay relatively fit. The evolution of these characters promises to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved franchise.
