Mel Gibson Says 'Lethal Weapon 5' Script Is 'Better Than All the Others' But It's Stuck in 'Industrial Film Hell'

Mel Gibson is giving an update on Lethal Weapon 5. The 70-year-old actor and filmmaker praised the script of the long-gestating sequel while speaking with Collider at Fan Expo Boston, offering fans a tantalizing glimpse of what could be the final chapter in the iconic action franchise if it ever escapes development purgatory.

Gibson first credited late director Richard Donner and writer Shane Black for the success of the franchise about LAPD detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. "Donner realized it. I think he did all of those films, and sadly he's passed away. But he sort of knew what he had, and Shane Black wrote a good script. It was timely, you know. It was [the] '80s. We were used to these tough guys on film who kind of had it all together, but they were tough and two-dimensional in a lot of ways," Gibson said.

"So this one was better because the main protagonists in the story both had kind of vulnerabilities, and one was crazy, and the other was scared, and it went a little deeper than the usual action flick," he continued.

Donner's Dying Wish

The actor revealed that Donner was actively working on the fifth installment when he died in 2021, and that it was the late filmmaker's wish for Gibson to take over the director's chair. The two had a long and successful collaboration, with Donner directing all four previous Lethal Weapon films and Gibson starring in each one. Their partnership extended beyond the franchise, with Donner also directing Gibson in Maverick (1994) and Conspiracy Theory (1997).

"Donner, God rest his soul, he said to me in this deep voice, he said, 'Hey, kid, if I drop off the perch, you'll take this over, won't you?' I said, 'Shut up! You're not going anywhere,'" Gibson recalled.

The responsibility of carrying on Donner's vision has clearly weighed on Gibson. "I got together with the writer, and we completed it thinking, 'What would Donner do?' That's what we were thinking in the room, and I think that the fifth script is better than all of the others," Gibson said. "But it's tied up in some kind of industrial film hell that you can't extract it from to make it," he added, referencing the frustrating Hollywood delays that have kept the project in limbo.

The comment about "industrial film hell" has fueled speculation about the precise nature of the hold-up. Sources close to the project have suggested the delays may involve rights issues, studio politics, or the complex logistics of bringing a decades-old franchise back to life with aging stars. Warner Bros., which distributed the previous films, has not commented publicly on the status of the project.

A New Kind of 'Lethal Weapon'

Teasing the plot of the fifth movie, the Oscar winner said, "It only harks back to the others in the minimal way, but it's a story all on its own. The characters are quite different. They're older. One's retired. The other one's on a desk job. He's putting on too much weight, and it's low-tech. It doesn't get into the big explosions and all this sort of stuff. But it still has the energy and, I think, drive of a big action film".

This description suggests a more intimate, character-driven story than previous installments a "legacy sequel" in the vein of recent franchise revivals like Creed or Top Gun: Maverick, which successfully balanced nostalgia with fresh storytelling. Gibson's emphasis on the characters' age and vulnerabilities indicates a willingness to engage with the passage of time, rather than pretending the actors haven't aged in the decades since the last film.

Original stars Gibson and Danny Glover were first announced to be returning to the action film franchise in 2020. The first movie came out in 1987 and followed detective Riggs (Gibson) being partnered with Murtaugh (Glover) on an investigation after his wife's death. The second movie came out in 1989, followed by sequels in 1992 and 1998, all four directed by Donner.

The franchise has remained a cultural touchstone for decades, with its blend of action, humor, and emotional depth influencing countless films that followed. The dynamic between the reckless Riggs and the family man Murtaugh became one of cinema's most beloved partnerships, and the films' signature mix of gritty action and dark humor set a template that many subsequent buddy-cop movies tried to replicate.

A Bittersweet Update

In a recent cover story for PEOPLE, Glover revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2023. "I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," he said of his diagnosis. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget".

Glover's diagnosis adds a layer of poignancy to the prospect of a fifth film. The 78-year-old actor has been open about his health struggles, and the possibility of one final outing as Murtaugh has taken on new significance for fans who have followed the franchise for nearly four decades. His diagnosis has also raised questions about the feasibility of a fifth film, given the physical and emotional demands of returning to such an iconic role.

Glover has remained active in the industry despite his diagnosis, continuing to act and speak out on social issues. His resilience in the face of the disease has inspired many, and his openness about the condition has helped raise awareness about Alzheimer's and the importance of early detection and support.

Gibson's Next Moves

Gibson recently produced 2023's Sound of Freedom and acted in 2025's Hunting Season. Notable credits include starring in Mad Max, Braveheart and Edge of Darkness, as well as directing The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto. The actor will next direct and produce The Resurrection of the Christ, a two-part biblical drama movie.

The Resurrection of the Christ is a follow-up to The Passion of the Christ, which was a massive box office success in 2004 despite its controversial content. The sequel has been in development for years, with Gibson and his team working to bring the story of Christ's resurrection to the screen in a way that honors the original film while exploring new themes.

Gibson has also been involved in a number of other projects, both as an actor and a director, demonstrating his continued relevance in the industry despite the controversies that have occasionally surrounded him. His career has been marked by both critical acclaim and public scrutiny, but he remains a significant figure in Hollywood.

The Legacy of 'Lethal Weapon'

The Lethal Weapon franchise holds a special place in the history of action cinema. It helped define the buddy-cop genre, influenced countless imitators, and launched Gibson and Glover to new heights of fame. The films' combination of action, humor, and emotional depth made them stand out in a crowded field of 1980s and 1990s action movies.

But the franchise also reflected broader cultural shifts. The first film, with its post-Vietnam War themes and exploration of grief and trauma, tapped into a national mood that was still grappling with the legacy of the war. Subsequent installments tackled issues like apartheid, organized crime, and the changing nature of law enforcement, always with a sharp eye for the social context.

A fifth film would not only provide a conclusion to the story of Riggs and Murtaugh but also offer a chance to reflect on how the world and the characters have changed since the last installment. Gibson's comments suggest that the script is aware of this, grounding the story in the characters' age and the passage of time.

Gibson's comments paint a picture of a sequel that honors Donner's legacy while charting its own course a grounded, character-driven story featuring older versions of the beloved detectives. The project remains mired in the kind of Hollywood gridlock that has kept it in development for years, but Gibson's passion for the script suggests that if it does eventually see the light of day, it could be a worthy addition to the franchise.

"I think that the fifth script is better than all of the others," Gibson said with evident enthusiasm. But whether Lethal Weapon 5 will ever escape "industrial film hell" remains to be seen. Fans of the franchise will have to hold onto hope that Riggs and Murtaugh will get one last ride and that it will be worth the wait.