Hollywood is notoriously bad at keeping families together. Usually, if a franchise drags on for a decade, the "youngest daughter" suddenly looks five years older between sequels, or the "annoying son" vanishes to a boarding school in Vermont, never to be heard from again. But the cast of lethal weapon movies was different. Over four films spanning eleven years, the producers did something nearly impossible: they kept the entire Murtaugh family intact.
It sounds like a small detail. Honestly, it’s the secret sauce that made the movies work. When you see Roger Murtaugh’s kids—Rianne, Nick, and Carrie—grow from children into adults with their own lives, the stakes for Danny Glover’s character become visceral. You aren’t just watching a cop get shot at; you’re watching a father who actually has a home to go back to.
The Core Duo: Riggs, Murtaugh, and a Massive Risk
In 1987, Mel Gibson was "the guy from Mad Max," and Danny Glover was mostly known for The Color Purple. Putting them together was a gamble. Richard Donner, the director, originally didn't even conceive of Murtaugh as a Black character. The script just said "Roger Murtaugh—going on 50." It was a casting director named Marion Dougherty who suggested Glover.
Donner’s reaction? "But he's Black!" Then he realized his own bias and felt like an idiot. That decision changed the DNA of action cinema.
Mel Gibson brought a "nearly cuddly pathology" to Martin Riggs. He was suicidal, reckless, and deeply grieving, but somehow you still wanted to grab a beer with him. To get into the headspace for that famous "gun in the mouth" scene, Gibson actually loaded a blank into the chamber. He wanted the weight of the metal to feel real. It worked. You can see the sweat. You can see the genuine terror in his eyes.
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Why the Supporting Players Stole the Show
If the first movie was a dark "urban western," the sequels became a family reunion. By the time Lethal Weapon 2 rolled around in 1989, the vibe shifted. Enter Joe Pesci as Leo Getz.
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Pesci didn't just show up and read lines. He based Leo’s frantic, people-pleasing energy on Disneyland employees he’d observed in Fantasyland. He noticed how they were almost aggressively helpful, and he channeled that into a money-laundering whistleblower who wouldn't shut up. Richard Donner loved it so much he told Pesci to keep ad-libbing. Leo Getz became the franchise’s mascot.
Then there’s Rene Russo. Joining an established "boys club" in Lethal Weapon 3 is a nightmare for most actors. But as Lorna Cole, Russo didn't just play the love interest. She was the only person who could out-crazy Riggs. The "scar-sharing" scene is probably the peak of the entire series. It’s romantic, weird, and perfectly fits two people who spend their lives getting kicked by bad guys.
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The "Family First" Casting Strategy
Let's talk about the Murtaugh kids again because it’s honestly impressive. Traci Wolfe (Rianne), Damon Hines (Nick), and Ebonie Smith (Carrie) appeared in all four films.
- Lethal Weapon (1987): They’re just kids in pajamas.
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998): Rianne is pregnant and married to a cop played by Chris Rock.
That kind of continuity creates a "neighborhood" feel. You recognize the house. You recognize the kitchen. When the villains attack the Murtaugh home in the sequels, it feels like a violation of the audience's space, too. Steve Kahan, who played Captain Murphy, also stuck around for every single movie. He was actually Richard Donner's cousin, which explains the "family business" vibe on set.
What Happened to the Villains?
The cast of lethal weapon movies featured some of the most underrated villains in 80s and 90s cinema.
- Gary Busey (Mr. Joshua): Before he became a reality TV caricature, Busey was terrifying. He was the "dark mirror" to Riggs—a Vietnam vet who used his skills for murder instead of justice.
- Joss Ackland (Arjen Rudd): The South African diplomat with "Diplomatic Immunity!" He was so effectively slimy that people still quote his death scene decades later.
- Jet Li (Wah Sing Ku): This was Li's American debut. He was so fast that the cameras couldn't capture his movements. Donner actually had to ask him to slow down his punches so they didn't look like a blurry mess on film.
Is Lethal Weapon 5 Actually Happening?
It’s 2026, and the "will they, won't they" regarding a fifth movie has been going on forever. Richard Donner passed away in 2021, which seemed like the end of the road. However, Mel Gibson confirmed he’s taking over the director’s chair.
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The script exists. Danny Glover, who is now well into his 70s, is reportedly on board. The delay is mostly down to studio reshuffling at Warner Bros. Discovery. Gibson has called the script "really emotional" and "funny," aiming to "carry the flag home" for Donner.
The Legacy of the 1987 Original
Most people forget how dark the first movie was. Shane Black wrote it when he was 23. He originally wanted it to be even more violent—heads disintegrating in bloody sprays. Donner toned it down. He focused on the characters. That’s why we still care about the cast of lethal weapon movies today. It wasn't about the explosions. It was about a guy who lost his wife and found a reason to live in his partner’s annoying, crowded, loud family.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re looking to revisit the series or are tracking the upcoming fifth film, here’s how to stay updated:
- Watch the Director’s Cuts: The first three movies have alternate cuts that add significant character beats, especially regarding Riggs’ mental health.
- Track Production via Production Weekly: This is where the actual "start dates" for Lethal Weapon 5 will appear first, rather than tabloid rumors.
- Skip the TV Show (Unless You're Bored): The 2016 TV reboot had some great moments, but behind-the-scenes drama between Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans led to Crawford being fired and the show's eventual cancellation. It lacks the "family" chemistry of the films.
The franchise succeeded because it treated its actors like a real unit. When you watch the fourth film, and the whole group is together in the hospital at the end, it doesn't feel like a movie set. It feels like a wrap party for a decade of friendship. That’s something no AI script or CGI de-aging can ever truly replicate.