Mel Gibson claimed over the weekend that he will be directing the fifth installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise, perThe Hollywood Reporter.
Richard Donner directed the previous four films, and was expected to helm the possibly final entry, despite several setbacks during the development stage over the last several years. However, Donner passed away in July at the age of 91, putting the future of Lethal Weapon 5 in jeopardy.
Gibson said Donner put a contingency plan in place prior to his death that involved him helming the film in the event of his passing. According to UK’s The Sun, the 65-year-old actor said at an Experience With … event in London Sunday that Donner “was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, ‘Listen, Kid, if I kick the bucket, you will do it.’ And I said, ‘Shut up.’”
Gibson continued, “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 [Lauren Shuler Donner] and to the studio and the producer. So, I will be directing the fifth one.” Gibson is also expected to reprise his role as Martin Riggs, and serve as a producer. Donner’s wife Lauren Schuler Donner will also produce. The last film he directed was 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge.
Deadline notes Lethal Weapon 5 is being developed for HBO Max. Gibson will likely go into production on the upcoming John Wick prequel series The Continental for Starz before working on the film. Gibson will play a character named Cormac in the reported three-part event series exploring the origin story of a young Winston (Ian McShane), who goes to own the infamous hotel for assassins.
