Editing Lethal Weapon 4 (section)

==Sequel==
There had long been talk of a fifth ''Lethal Weapon'' film, although both [[Mel Gibson]] and [[Danny Glover]] had initially expressed a lack of interest. In 2007, Moviehole.net received word from sources that [[Warner Bros.]] were in the early stages of trying to relaunch the ''Lethal Weapon'' series sometime in 2009 or later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070806_will_lethal_weapon_be_reloaded.html|title=Will ''Lethal Weapon'' be reloaded?|last=Kegar|first=Kirby|date=August 6, 2007|work=Moviehole|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225300/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070806_will_lethal_weapon_be_reloaded.html|archive-date=September 26, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=October 27, 2009}}</ref> A spec script treatment was written by [[Shane Black]] and [[Chuck Mondry]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=47707|title=Gibson and Glover Up for Lethal Weapon 5?|date=August 6, 2008|work=[[CraveOnline|ComingSoon.net]]|access-date=October 27, 2009|archive-date=June 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610080338/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=47707|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/shane-black-on-the-nice-guys-buddy-comedies-lethal-weapon-predator-more-321%26order%3Dasc?id=shane-black-on-the-nice-guys-buddy-comedies-lethal-weapon-predator-more-321&order=popular|title=Shane Black on The Nice Guys, buddy comedies, Lethal Weapon, Predator & more|access-date=March 10, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310202156/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/shane-black-on-the-nice-guys-buddy-comedies-lethal-weapon-predator-more-321%26order%3Dasc?id=shane-black-on-the-nice-guys-buddy-comedies-lethal-weapon-predator-more-321&order=popular|url-status=dead}}</ref> leading to rumors that the sequel was on fast track by [[Warner Bros.]] with Black in the director's chair. In 2008, Richard Donner said, "Mel turned it down. I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn't involved." Donner said that he and ''Lethal Weapon 4'' writer Channing Gibson "had an incredibly strong story for the fifth movie" but that the studio had opted to work with Joel Silver instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/10/richard-donner.html|title=Richard Donner says 'Lethal Weapon 5' is 'dead in the water'|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|date=October 13, 2008|work=Hero Complex|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014202031/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/10/richard-donner.html|archive-date=October 14, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=April 22, 2021}}</ref>

In November 2017, Mel Gibson hinted that a fifth movie might happen and that he, Richard Donner, and Danny Glover have discussed the idea to return. In December 2017, Donner confirmed in an interview on the Spocklight podcast that Gibson and Glover have agreed to return as Riggs and Murtaugh respectively and that he has a story all set. The only obstacle is Warner Bros. greenlighting the film. Channing Gibson remains involved as screenwriter. The story will take place in present-day and is intended to be the final film in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spocklight.podbean.com/e/supplemental-6-interview-with-richard-donner/|title=Supplemental 6: Interview with Richard Donner|author=Spocklight|date=December 5, 2017|work=Spocklight: A Star Trek Podcast|access-date=April 22, 2021|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423003636/https://spocklight.podbean.com/e/supplemental-6-interview-with-richard-donner/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2018, Donner revealed the film's official title to be ''Lethal Finale''; while also stating that the film is being held up by the production company and story.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Soon|first=Coming|date=February 3, 2018|title=Donner Reveals Lethal Weapon 5 Title But is Doubtful It Will Happen|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/919259-donner-reveals-lethal-weapon-5-title-but-is-doubtful-it-will-happen|access-date=July 10, 2021|website=ComingSoon.net|language=en-US|archive-date=December 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212035424/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/919259-donner-reveals-lethal-weapon-5-title-but-is-doubtful-it-will-happen|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2020, producer [[Dan Lin]] confirmed that ''Lethal Weapon 5'' is in active development, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover confirmed to return, and [[Richard Donner]] returning to direct, but that a script had not yet been finalized.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hein|first=Michael|date=January 29, 2020|title='Lethal Weapon 5': Mel Gibson and Danny Glover Set to Return|url=https://popculture.com/movies/news/lethal-weapon-5-mel-gibson-danny-glover-set-to-return/|access-date=July 10, 2021|website=PopCulture.com|language=en-US|archive-date=December 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212035424/https://popculture.com/movies/news/lethal-weapon-5-mel-gibson-danny-glover-set-to-return/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2020, Richard Donner confirmed that he was developing the sequel and would produce and direct it, adding that it would be the last film he directs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/superman-director-richard-donner-death-threats-lethal-weapon/|title=Superman director Richard Donner on death threats, Lethal Weapon and the problem with 'dark' heroes|last=Godfrey|first=Alex|date=December 29, 2020|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|access-date=April 22, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117155448/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/superman-director-richard-donner-death-threats-lethal-weapon/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Donner died on July 5, 2021, leaving the fate of the film unknown.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=July 5, 2021|title=Richard Donner Dies: 'Superman', 'Lethal Weapon' And 'The Goonies' Director Was 91|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/richard-donner-dead-superman-lethal-weapon-director-1234786372/|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705201651/https://deadline.com/2021/07/richard-donner-dead-superman-lethal-weapon-director-1234786372/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mel Gibson has been approached for potentially directing the film.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Scott|date=July 27, 2021|title=Mel Gibson Might End Up Directing Lethal Weapon 5|url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/mel-gibson-might-end-up-directing-lethal-weapon-5/|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=September 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926145337/https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/mel-gibson-might-end-up-directing-lethal-weapon-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 15, 2021, Gibson confirmed that he is in talks to direct and star in the fifth ''Lethal Weapon'' film, saying that he would be helming the film to honor Donner.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 15, 2021|title=Back with a bang! Mel Gibson, 65, to direct and star in 'Lethal Weapon|url=https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/back-with-a-bang-mel-gibson-65-to-direct-and-star-in-lethal-weapon-5/ar-AAQIwum?pfr=1|access-date=November 15, 2021|website=MSN|language=en-US|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115201406/https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/back-with-a-bang-mel-gibson-65-to-direct-and-star-in-lethal-weapon-5/ar-AAQIwum?pfr=1|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also revealed that [[Richard Wenk]] (''[[The Equalizer (film)|The Equalizer]]'', ''[[Jack Reacher: Never Go Back]]'') had drafted a screenplay. The production will be exclusive to [[Max (streaming service)|Max]] with no theatrical release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=2021-11-15|title=Mel Gibson to Direct 'Lethal Weapon 5'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mel-gibson-lethal-weapon-5-direct-1235048056/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127121605/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mel-gibson-lethal-weapon-5-direct-1235048056/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2021-11-15|title=Mel Gibson In Talks To Direct 'Lethal Weapon 5'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/mel-gibson-direct-lethal-weapon-5-1234874646|website=Deadline|language=en-US|access-date=2021-12-12|archive-date=2021-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219220442/https://deadline.com/2021/11/mel-gibson-direct-lethal-weapon-5-1234874646/|url-status=dead}}</ref>