Mel Gibson told Collider he remains interested in directing a fifth Lethal Weapon film, but the project is currently tangled in what he described as "industrial film hell." The sequel’s screenplay, penned by Richard Wenk, was finished after the franchise’s longtime director Richard Donner passed away in July 2021.
Gibson envisions the new installment as a more character‑driven story featuring older versions of Riggs and Murtaugh. He said one character would be retired while the other is stuck at a desk, gaining weight and avoiding the high‑octane explosions of earlier entries. Still, Gibson believes the film can retain the series’ kinetic energy, likening a foot chase to a car chase and promising the same core action feel without the complexity of past movies.
The director hopes Paramount chief David Ellison might revive the project, especially if Ellison’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. proceeds. With Gibson’s directing résumé—including an Oscar for Braveheart and recent work on Apocalypto and Hacksaw Ridge—the sequel’s future remains uncertain, leaving fans to wait for any concrete green light.
