Mel Gibson has confirmed Lethal Weapon 5 is still in the works and reiterated he will be taking over directing duties from the late Richard Donner.
During an appearance on the Inspire Me Podcast, the once-embattled actor gave an update on the long-gestating film, confidently stating the movie is still happening.
“I’m going to direct the fifth film in the Lethal Weapon series,” Gibson said. “Richard Donner, who did the other four, sadly passed away and he was a good friend. He kind of tasked me with carrying the flag home on that one so it’ll be an honor for me to do that.”
Gibson continued by revealing Donner had “gone a fair way” with the screenplay, which they’ve mostly kept intact. “I’m pretty happy with it,” he added. “It’s funny, but it’s pretty serious too. It tackles a couple of hard issues. I’m looking forward to it.”
Though it’s been several years since Gibson announced in November 2021 that he would be directing Lethal Weapon 5, it appears the sequel is on track to happen sooner rather than later. This past December, Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman reported that Jez Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) had written the most recent draft with expectations that filming would begin sometime this year.
Besides directing the film, Gibson, 68, is set to reprise his role as Martin Riggs alongside Danny Glover, 77, as Roger Murtaugh — nearly four decades after the latter character first said he was “too old for this shit.”