Honestly, it feels like we’ve been talking about a new Lethal Weapon movie since the George W. Bush administration. Every few years, a rumor pops up. Someone mentions a script. Mel Gibson gives a cryptic interview. Then? Nothing. Silence. But 2026 feels different, and if you’ve been following the chaotic development hell of what is officially titled Lethal Finale, you know the stakes are weirdly high. We aren't just looking at another sequel; we're looking at the end of an era for the "buddy cop" genre that Shane Black basically invented in his pajamas back in the 80s.
It’s been over 25 years since Riggs and Murtaugh last blew up a building in Lethal Weapon 4. Joe Pesci has retired and un-retired. The world has changed. So, why is this movie still a thing?
The Richard Donner Legacy and the Shift to Gibson
You can't talk about a new Lethal Weapon movie without talking about Richard Donner. He was the soul of the franchise. When Donner passed away in 2021 at the age of 91, most fans—myself included—thought the project was dead. Buried. Done. Donner had been developing the fifth film for years, calling it his "final goal."
Then things got interesting.
Mel Gibson announced during an event in London that Donner had actually asked him to take the reins if he passed. "Listen kid, if I kick the bucket, you’re going to do it," Gibson recalled. It’s a heavy mantle. Directing yourself in a massive franchise sequel is one thing, but stepping into the shoes of a mentor who defined your career is a different beast entirely. Gibson isn't a novice behind the camera, obviously. The man has an Oscar for Braveheart and directed Hacksaw Ridge. He knows how to shoot action. But can he capture that specific, lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that Donner mastered?
The script has seen more rewrites than a college freshman’s term paper. Originally, Richard Wenk (The Equalizer) penned a draft. Since then, Gibson has been working on it, reportedly trying to balance the "too old for this" humor with a more grounded, modern sensibility. It’s a tough tightrope. You want the nostalgia, but you don't want a museum piece.
What We Actually Know About the Plot
Details are tighter than a drum at Warner Bros., but some things have leaked through the cracks. The working title Lethal Finale isn't just a marketing gimmick; it’s meant to be a definitive closing of the book.
Danny Glover is back. He’s 79 now.
Think about that for a second. In the first movie, Roger Murtaugh was celebrating his 50th birthday and feeling ancient. Now, he’s nearly four decades past that. The dynamic has to change. You can't have two octogenarians jumping off bridges or engaging in high-speed foot chases without it looking like a parody. Sources close to the production suggest the story leans into this. It’s about retirement, legacy, and perhaps the department they grew up in becoming something they no longer recognize.
- The movie will likely acknowledge the passage of real-time.
- Expect a heavy dose of emotional weight regarding the loss of Captain Murphy (Steve Kahan passed away in 2014).
- The "buddy" element might expand to include a younger generation, though Gibson has been vocal about keeping the focus on Riggs and Murtaugh.
Riggs was always the "lethal weapon" because he didn't care if he lived or died. In 2026, that trauma hits differently. We understand PTSD better now than we did in 1987. It'll be fascinating to see if Gibson plays Riggs with that same manic energy or if he’s finally found some semblance of peace—only to have it ripped away for one last case.
Why the Production Keeps Stalling
If the script is ready and the stars are aligned, why aren't we watching a trailer yet?
Money and optics.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been through a blender of corporate restructuring. Movies get canceled for tax write-offs (RIP Batgirl). A new Lethal Weapon movie is a significant investment. Then there’s the "Mel Gibson factor." While he’s been working steadily in independent features and smaller action roles, a major studio tentpole carries a different level of scrutiny. The studio has to weigh the massive nostalgia-driven box office potential against the inevitable PR cycles.
There's also the physical demand.
Danny Glover told Variety a while back that the script was "extraordinary" and had "relevance to some of the things happening today." But getting a production of this scale moving requires a window where both Gibson and Glover are physically ready and available. It’s a logistical nightmare.
The Tone Problem: Can You Be "Lethal" in 2026?
The original films were products of the "cowboy cop" era. Riggs and Murtaugh caused millions in property damage and ignored civil liberties on an hourly basis. In a post-2020 world, the "loose cannon cop" trope is under the microscope.
Jez Butterworth, who worked on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, was rumored to have looked at the script at one point. The goal seems to be finding a way to keep the grit without feeling tone-deaf. The new Lethal Weapon movie needs to be funny—that’s non-negotiable—but it also needs to handle the reality of modern policing. If they ignore it, it feels fake. If they preach, it feels like a lecture.
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Most fans just want to see the banter. The "Thin Ice" moments. The bickering in the car. That’s the real "weapon" of the franchise.
What to Expect Next
The latest updates suggest that filming might finally commence in late 2025 or early 2026. Gibson has mentioned in recent press tours for other projects that he’s "very happy" with the current state of the screenplay.
- Director: Mel Gibson
- Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Bobbi Jackson (rumored), and potentially Rene Russo returning as Lorna Cole.
- Location: Likely returning to the sun-drenched, smoggy streets of Los Angeles.
It’s worth noting that Joe Pesci’s involvement remains the biggest question mark. Leo Getz is the "third wheel" that shouldn't work but does. Without him, does it feel like a Lethal Weapon movie? Probably not. But Pesci is notoriously picky about coming out of retirement. He did it for Scorsese’s The Irishman, but will he do it for a comedy-action sequel? We can only hope.
The film is being positioned for a theatrical release rather than a direct-to-streaming dump on Max. This suggests the studio sees "event movie" potential here. It’s the Top Gun: Maverick effect—people want to see their old heroes one last time, provided the quality is there.
How to Prepare for the Finale
If you're looking to gear up for the new Lethal Weapon movie, don't just rewatch the films. Look at the influences. Watch The Last Boy Scout or The Nice Guys to see how the genre evolved.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Director's Cuts: If you haven't seen the extended versions of the first three films, do it. They add significant character depth, especially regarding Riggs' suicidal tendencies in the first movie.
- Follow Production Trades: Keep an eye on The Hollywood Reporter or Deadline rather than "leaker" Twitter accounts. This project is high-profile enough that major movements will be reported there first.
- Manage Expectations: This isn't going to be Lethal Weapon 1. It can't be. Go in expecting a meditation on aging mixed with some high-octane stunts, and you'll likely have a better time.
The journey of Lethal Weapon 5 has been as volatile as Martin Riggs himself. It has survived the death of its creator, the aging of its stars, and a complete shift in the Hollywood landscape. Whether it becomes a triumphant sunset for the duo or a "too late" footnote remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when that saxophone theme kicks in, we'll all be sitting in the theater, ready for one last ride.