''Lethal Weapon'' is an American
buddy cop
Buddy cop is a film and television genre with plots involving two people of very different and conflicting personalities who are forced to work together to solve a crime and/or defeat criminals, sometimes learning from each other in the process. ...
action-comedy media franchise
A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or ...
created by
Shane Black
Shane Black (born December 16, 1961) is an American filmmaker and actor who has written such films as ''Lethal Weapon'', ''The Monster Squad'', ''The Last Boy Scout'', ''Last Action Hero'', and ''The Long Kiss Goodnight''. As an actor, Black is ...
. It focuses on two
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officially known as the City of Los Angeles Police Department, is the municipal police department of Los Angeles, California. With 9,974 police officers and 3,000 civilian staff, it is the third-large ...
(LAPD) detectives,
Martin Riggs
Martin Riggs is a fictional character from the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series created by Shane Black. Riggs was originally played by actor Mel Gibson in all four films from 1987 to 1998, and later by Clayne Crawford in the Fox television series ...
and
Roger Murtaugh
Roger Murtaugh () is a fictional character in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series created by Shane Black. Murtaugh was originally played by actor Danny Glover in all four films from 1987 to 1998, and later by Damon Wayans in the Fox television ser ...
. The franchise consists of a series of four films released between 1987 and 1998 and a
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...
which aired from 2016 to 2019. The four films were directed by
Richard Donner
Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg; April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021) was an American filmmaker whose notable works included some of the most financially-successful films during the New Hollywood era. According to film historian M ...
and also share many of the same core cast members, while the television series is a reboot with different actors. Although 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. In September of 2022, director Mel Gibson expressed confidence that the film would begin shooting in the early months of 2023, and will most likely see a release date the same year.
Films
''Lethal Weapon'' (1987)
Anxious with age and retirement, homicide detective Roger Murtaugh (
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover (; born July 22, 1946) is an American actor, film director, and political activist. He is widely known for his lead role as Roger Murtaugh in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series. He also had leading roles in his films include ...
) is partnered with young and suicidal narcotics officer Martin Riggs (
Mel Gibson
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor, film director, and producer. He is best known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apocaly ...
). Together, they work the case of the alleged suicide of Amanda Hunsaker (
Jackie Swanson
Jackie Swanson (born June 25, 1963) is an American actress. She is best known for her role on the American sitcom ''Cheers'' as Kelly Gaines the rich, simple love interest of Woody Boyd and as Amanda Hunsaker in the first Lethal Weapon movie.
...
), 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
Mitchell Ryan (January 11, 1934 – March 4, 2022) was an American film, television, and stage actor, who in his six decades of television is known for playing Burke Devlin in the 1960s gothic soap opera ''Dark Shadows'', and later for his co- ...
) and his lead enforcer (
Gary Busey
Gary Busey (; born 1944) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in ''The Buddy Holly Story'' (1978), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the National Society of Film Critics ...
).
''Lethal Weapon 2'' (1989)
During a car chase, Riggs and Murtaugh stumble upon a trunk full of smuggled South African
Krugerrand
The Krugerrand (; ) is a South African coin, first minted on 3 July 1967 to help market South African gold and produced by Rand Refinery and the South African Mint. The name is a compound of ''Paul Kruger'', the former President of the South Af ...
s. This sparks a series of attempts at their lives, forcing them to take a less dangerous case, protecting Leo Getz (
Joe Pesci
Joseph Frank Pesci ( , ; born February 9, 1943) is an American actor and musician. He is known for portraying tough, volatile characters in a variety of genres and for his collaborations with Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in the films ''Ra ...
), 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.
''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
Rene Marie Russo (born February 17, 1954) is an American actress and model. She began her career as a fashion model in the 1970s, appearing on magazine covers such as ''Vogue'' and ''Cosmopolitan''. She made her film debut in the 1989 comedy '' ...
). 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)
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
Christopher Julius Rock (born February 7, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. Known for his work in comic film, television and stage, he has received multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards for best come ...
) to investigate a
Chinese
Chinese can refer to:
* Something related to China
* Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
**''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation
** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...
immigrant smuggling ring. Wah Sing Ku (
Jet Li
Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese film actor, film producer, Chinese martial arts, martial artist, and retired wushu (sport), Wushu champion. He is a naturalized Singapo ...
) 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.
''Lethal Finale'' (2023)
There had long been talk of a fifth ''Lethal Weapon'' film, although both
Mel Gibson
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor, film director, and producer. He is best known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apocaly ...
and
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover (; born July 22, 1946) is an American actor, film director, and political activist. He is widely known for his lead role as Roger Murtaugh in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series. He also had leading roles in his films include ...
had initially expressed a lack of interest. In 2007, Moviehole.net received word from sources that
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Di ...
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
Shane Black (born December 16, 1961) is an American filmmaker and actor who has written such films as ''Lethal Weapon'', ''The Monster Squad'', ''The Last Boy Scout'', ''Last Action Hero'', and ''The Long Kiss Goodnight''. As an actor, Black is ...
and
Chuck Mondry
Charles Mondry is an American screenwriter, born 1968.
Career
Mondry's recent features include: ''Play Dirty'', an adaptation of Donald Westlake's Parker (Stark novels character), Parker series about a professional thief, starring Robert Downey, J ...
, leading to rumors that the sequel was on fast track by
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Di ...
with Black in the director's chair. In 2008, Richard Donner said that Mel turned down this offer, also saying 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 film might happen and that he, Richard Donner, and Danny Glover have discussed the idea to return. In December, 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
Dan Lin (; born April 8, 1973) is a Taiwanese-American film producer. He is the founder and CEO of Rideback (formerly Lin Pictures until 2018), a film and television production company that he formed in 2008 that has a first-look deal at Uni ...
confirmed that ''Lethal Weapon 5'' is in active development, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover confirmed to return, and
Richard Donner
Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg; April 24, 1930 – July 5, 2021) was an American filmmaker whose notable works included some of the most financially-successful films during the New Hollywood era. According to film historian M ...
returning to direct, but that a script had not yet been finalized. In December, Richard Donner confirmed that he was developing the sequel and would produce and direct it, adding that it would be the last film he directed. However, Donner died on July 5, 2021. Mel Gibson has been approached for potentially directing the film, and he confirmed in November that he was 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
Richard Wenk (born 1956) is an American film screenwriter and director best known for his work on ''The Expendables 2'' (2012), ''The Equalizer (film), The Equalizer'' (2014), and ''The Magnificent Seven (2016 film), The Magnificent Seven'' (20 ...
(''
The Equalizer
''The Equalizer'' is an American spy thriller multimedia franchise initially co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim, and originating with a CBS television series from 1985 to 1989, starring Edward Woodward. The concept was thereafte ...
'', ''
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back'') had drafted the screenplay. In September of 2022, Gibson expressed "confidence" that the film would begin shooting in the early months of 2023, and may see a release date the same year.
Television
''Lethal Weapon'' (2016–2019)
A television adaptation of the film series was developed by Matthew Miller as co-executive producer, along with
Dan Lin
Dan Lin (; born April 8, 1973) is a Taiwanese-American film producer. He is the founder and CEO of Rideback (formerly Lin Pictures until 2018), a film and television production company that he formed in 2008 that has a first-look deal at Uni ...
and Jennifer Gwartz for
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
.
Clayne Crawford
Joseph Crawford (born April 20, 1978), known professionally as Clayne Crawford, is an American actor. He is known for portraying the role of Martin Riggs on the Fox action comedy-drama television series ''Lethal Weapon'' (2016–2018). He also p ...
and
Damon Wayans
Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. (; born September 4, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. Wayans performed as a comedian and actor throughout the 1980s, including a year long stint on the sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live.' ...
starred as Riggs and Murtaugh. Other cast include
Keesha Sharp
Keesha Ulricka Sharp ( née Fletch; born June 9, 1973) is an American actress and film / television director. She began her career appearing on television dramas, before her regular role as Monica Charles Brooks in the UPN/The CW comedy series, ...
replacing
Golden Brooks
Golden Brooks is an American actress. She began her career with starring role in the Showtime comedy series, ''Linc's'' (1998–2000), and later has appeared in films ''Timecode'' (2000) and ''Impostor'' (2001).
From 2000 to 2008, Brooks st ...
as Trish,
Jordana Brewster
Jordana Brewster (born April 26, 1980) is a Panamanian-American actress. Best known for her role as Mia Toretto in the ''Fast & Furious'' franchise, she made her acting debut in an episode of ''All My Children'' in 1995 and next took on the recu ...
as Dr. Maureen Cahill,
Kevin Rahm
Kevin Rahm (born January 7, 1971) is an American actor known for his television roles as Kyle McCarty on '' Judging Amy'', Lee McDermott on '' Desperate Housewives'', and Ted Chaough on ''Mad Men''.
Early life and education
Rahm attended and ...
as Captain Brooks Avery, Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh, Dante Brown as Roger "R.J." Murtaugh Jr., Johnathan Fernandez as Scorsese, and
Thomas Lennon
Thomas Patrick Lennon (born August 9, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, director, and novelist. He plays Lieutenant Jim Dangle on the series ''Reno 911!''
Lennon is an accomplished screenwriter of several major st ...
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
Seann William Scott (born October 3, 1976) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Steve Stifler in the '' American Pie'' franchise, and also for his role as Doug Glatt in both ''Goon'' and '' Goon: Last of the Enforcers''. He has also ...
, 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 gray 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
''Lethal Weapon'' is a 1987 American buddy cop action comedy film directed and co-produced by Richard Donner, written by Shane Black, and co-produced by Joel Silver. It stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover alongside Gary Busey, Tom Atkins, Darle ...
'' – based on ''Lethal Weapon 3'', released in 1992.
Pinball
* ''
Lethal Weapon 3
''Lethal Weapon 3'' is a 1992 American buddy cop action film directed by Richard Donner and written by Jeffrey Boam and Robert Mark Kamen. The sequel to ''Lethal Weapon 2'' (1989), it is the third installment in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film serie ...
'' - released in 1992
Theme park ride
* ''
Lethal Weapon – The Ride''
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lethal Weapon (Film Series)
American film series
Action film franchises
Film franchises introduced in 1987
Warner Bros. Pictures franchises