‘Lethal Weapon 5’: Mel Gibson To Direct, Reportedly For HBO Max

For years, Warner Bros. and director Richard Donner tried to put together a fifth installment of the beloved and influential “Lethal Weapon” franchise. Led by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, the film franchise centered on the two actors as two burnt-out L.A. cops thrust into an untenable working relationship. Neither of them trusted the other until they bonded over taking down a former U.S. special forces unit acting as the latest drug cartel operating out of Los Angeles. Since that first film, a buddy cop franchise was formed, and Donner stated “Lethal Weapon 5” would be his last film.

READ MORE: ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ Is Close To Becoming A Reality With Mel Gibson, Danny Glover & Richard Donner All Returning

Sadly, Donner died over the summer at the age of 91, and it wasn’t clear if “Lethal Weapon 5” would move forward at the studio without him. However, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that things are all-streams-ahead with Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson taking over the action project (Yep, Deadline says it’s being developed for HBO Max).

Screenwriter Richard Wenk, who was behind action films such as “The Expendables 2,” “The Equalizer,” and Sony‘s “Kraven The Hunter,” wrote the script to the fifth installment of the series.

Mel Gibson isn’t no stranger to directing, having helmed such action drama epics such as “Braveheart,” “Apocalypto,” and “Hacksaw Ridge.” It’s just certainly a strange move by Warner Bros., given Gibson’s history with domestic abuse, racism, homophobia, and antisemitism. But, his selection has been reportedly “blessed” by Lauren Shuler Donner, the wife and producing partner of Richard Donner.

Actress Renee Russo became a staple in the latter two installments as an equal to Gibson’s Riggs. However, she got benched in “Lethal Weapon 4,” being in the late stages of pregnancy, and comedian Chris Rock stepped in for the third cop role. That previous film also featured Jet Li making his Hollywood debut as the fourth movie’s big bad and showcasing his martial arts skills for western audiences.

It’s unknown if either Chris Rock or Renee Russo will be back. Still, the actress has been having a career revival thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the fantastic thriller “Nightcrawler.” We must assume that getting Joe Pesci back as the franchise’s comedic relief will be next to impossible, but stranger things have happened.