Editing Lethal Weapon 4

{{Short description|1998 American film directed by Richard Donner}}
{{Redirect|LW4|Paralympic skiing classification|LW4 (classification)}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Lethal Weapon 4
| image          = Lethal Weapon 4 Poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Richard Donner]]
| producer       = {{plainlist|
* Richard Donner
* [[Joel Silver]]
}}
| screenplay     = [[Channing Gibson]]
| story          = {{plainlist|
* [[Jonathan Lemkin]]
* [[Alfred Gough]]
* [[Miles Millar]]
}}
| based_on       = {{based on|Characters|[[Shane Black]]}}
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[Mel Gibson]]
* [[Danny Glover]]
* [[Joe Pesci]]
* [[Rene Russo]]
* [[Chris Rock]]
* [[Jet Li]]
}}
| music          = {{plainlist|
* [[Michael Kamen]]
* [[Eric Clapton]]
* [[David Sanborn]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Andrzej Bartkowiak]]
| editing        = {{plainlist|
* Dallas Puett
* [[Kevin Stitt (film editor)|Kevin Stitt]]
* [[Frank J. Urioste]]
}}
| studio         = {{plainlist|
* [[Silver Pictures]]
* Doshudo Productions
}}
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]
| released       = {{Film date|1998|7|10}}
| runtime        = 127 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English<!-- Per infobox, primary language only -->
| budget         = $100–150 million<ref name="Wolk (1998)" />
| gross          = $285.4 million<ref name=mojo/>
}}
'''''Lethal Weapon 4''''' is a 1998 American [[buddy cop film|buddy cop]] [[action film]] directed and produced by [[Richard Donner]], and starring [[Mel Gibson]], [[Danny Glover]], [[Joe Pesci]], [[Rene Russo]], [[Chris Rock]], and [[Jet Li]] (in his international film debut).<ref name="Weapon 4">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/324154/lethal-weapon-4#credits|title=Lethal Weapon 4|work=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]]|location=United States|access-date=26 May 2018|archive-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023313/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/324154/Lethal-Weapon-4/full-credits.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the fourth installment in the [[Lethal Weapon (franchise)|''Lethal Weapon'' film series]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lethal Weapon' 4 To Start Shooting Soon|work=Chicago Tribune|date=December 22, 1997|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/12/22/lethal-weapon-4-to-start-shooting-soon/|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912181812/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/12/22/lethal-weapon-4-to-start-shooting-soon/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the last film in the series directed by Donner before his death, and the latest to be released theatrically.

The film was released on July 10, 1998, by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $285 million worldwide, becoming the [[1998 in film|tenth highest-grossing film of 1998]].

A sequel titled ''Lethal Finale'' is in development for the streaming service [[Max (streaming service)|Max]]. Glover and Gibson will reprise their roles as Riggs and Murtaugh, with Gibson also in talks to direct.

==Plot==
Lorna Cole is pregnant with [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] Sergeant Martin Riggs's baby; they are not married, but both are thinking about it. LAPD Sergeant Roger Murtaugh's daughter Rianne is also pregnant but won't reveal who the father is.

The officers and Leo Getz come upon a [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] immigrant smuggling ring after running an oceangoing vessel aground, though the boat's captain escapes. Murtaugh finds the Hong family hiding from US Immigration officers to avoid deportation. Murtaugh offers them shelter in his home, and their families, along with Riggs and Cole, bond. Grandfather Hong is looking for his uncle, a skilled engraver, who had paid for their passage to the United States. Riggs discovers through Lorna that the father of Rianne's unborn child is Detective Lee Butters. The family is hiding this from Murtaugh, who would not approve of his daughter being with a police officer.

Continued investigation of the smuggling ring leads the officers to "Uncle" Benny Chan, a crime boss operating from a [[Chinatown]] restaurant. There, they are introduced to high-ranking [[Triad (underground society)|Triad]] negotiator Wah Sing Ku. Chan forces them out of his restaurant when the officers show no probable cause. Riggs pulls the fire alarm so that the sprinklers can go off, forcing all the restaurant customers to flee.  Outside, Riggs spots the ship captain and tries to give chase but fails to capture him. Ku later intercepts the captain and kills him as punishment for attracting the police's attention.

Hong manages to contact his uncle, but this leads the Triads to Murtaugh's house. Ku and the Triad thugs kidnap the Hongs, tie up Murtaugh, his family, Riggs, and Cole and set the house ablaze. Ping, Hong's grandson, has evaded capture and helps to free the others in time. Though Riggs and Murtaugh chase down and kill Triad members, Ku escapes. Ku brings Mr. Hong to his uncle at a warehouse, where he has been engraving plates for a counterfeiting operation for Ku and Chan in exchange for transit for his family. Ku kills Hong in front of his uncle to assure his continued work.

With Getz serving as a distraction, the officers confront Chan at his dentist's office to interrogate him with [[laughing gas]] for more information but cannot get any leads, and during which Riggs and Butters accidentally reveal the family secret to Murtaugh. Later, as they discuss what they know with Detective Ng, who has worked on cases involving the Chinese government before, Ng recognizes that Ku must be trying to negotiate with a corrupt Chinese general for the release of the Four Fathers, high-ranking Triad members that include Ku's brother. New information leads them to the abandoned warehouse where they find the bodies of Hong, his uncle, and Chan, the latter two killed by Ku after they served their usefulness. Knowing that Ku plans to use counterfeit money, the police intercept the exchange between Ku and the general, telling the general that the money is fake. The enraged general executes most of the Four Fathers before being killed by the Triads. A firefight breaks out between the Triad, the general's private army, and the police; most of the Triad and army die, and Butters is wounded shielding Murtaugh. Ku attempts to escape with his brother, who is killed by Murtaugh. Riggs and Murtaugh pursue Ku to a pier and engage him in a fistfight. Murtaugh impales Ku through the stomach with a rebar before being knocked out by Ku. The pier then collapses and sends Riggs and Ku into the water. Riggs finds an assault rifle and kills Ku, while Murtaugh recovers in time to rescue Riggs from a piece of concrete that had pinned him underwater.

Riggs and Getz later discover that Lorna is about to give birth and race to the hospital, where Riggs and Lorna are ceremonially married by a [[rabbi]] just before she enters labor. Their son and Rianne's daughter are born, and Murtaugh accepts Butters as his son-in-law. Hong's family is granted [[right of asylum|asylum]].

==Cast==
<!--- [[WP:NOTDATABASE]] - cast and order per Main Cast closing tombstone stand-alone credits, roles per closing credits scroll --->
{{Cast listing|
* [[Mel Gibson]] as [[Martin Riggs]]
* [[Danny Glover]] as [[Roger Murtaugh]]
* [[Joe Pesci]] as Leo Getz
* [[Rene Russo]] as Lorna Cole
* [[Chris Rock]] as Lee Butters
* [[Jet Li]] as Wah Sing Ku
* [[Steve Kahan]] as Captain Murphy
* [[Kim Chan]] as Uncle Benny
* [[Darlene Love]] as Trish Murtaugh
* [[Traci Wolfe]] as Rianne
* [[Eddy Ko]] as Hong
* [[Jack Kehler]] as the State Department official
* Calvin Jung as Detective Ng
}}

In addition, series regulars{{snd}}who appear in minor roles in [[Lethal Weapon (franchise)|all four films of the franchise]]{{snd}}include: Damon Hines and Ebonie Smith as Murtaugh children Nick and Carrie, respectively; and [[Mary Ellen Trainor]] as psychologist Stephanie Woods.

==Production==
In early 1993, after the release of ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]'', Warner Bros. and producer [[Joel Silver]] tried buying a new spec script titled ''Simon Says'' in hopes of rewriting it into a script for ''Lethal Weapon 4''. Written by [[Jonathan Hensleigh]], the story was about a police detective and a shop owner forced to find and stop bombs planted all over a city as part of a mad bomber's revenge plot against the detective.

However, 20th Century Fox purchased the script first, planning a project for [[Brandon Lee]]'s next film after ''[[The Crow (1994 film)|The Crow]]''. It was considered for a standalone film or to be re-written into a sequel to his 1992 action film, ''[[Rapid Fire (1992 film)|Rapid Fire]]'', when Lee was killed during filming on ''The Crow''. Fox would then use the script as the basis for a third ''Die Hard'' film they were having trouble developing. After many rewrites by several writers, it was finally made into ''[[Die Hard With a Vengeance]]'' (1995).<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-strange-history-of-the-die-hard-movies/|title = The Strange History of the Die Hard Movies|date = December 2019|access-date = 2022-03-26|archive-date = 2022-08-20|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220820034728/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-strange-history-of-the-die-hard-movies/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In July 1993, Warner Bros. and Silver started working on not just the fourth ''Lethal Weapon'' film but a fifth as well. Screenwriter and script doctor [[Jonathan Lemkin]], who had just done some uncredited work for them on ''[[Demolition Man (film)|Demolition Man]]'' (1993), was hired to write the script for ''Lethal Weapon 4'' while another writer worked on the script for ''Lethal Weapon 5''. According to Silver, the plan was to shoot both films back-to-back, with the possibility of using the best parts of both scripts for a single film.<ref>L.A. Times - "FILM CLIPS - A look inside Hollywood and the movies : 'What're You Working On?' 'What!? So Am I!' - July 18, 1993 - JEFFREY WELLS - "A two-man derby is now behind the development of Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver's upcoming "Lethal Weapon 4." Scripter Jonathan Lemkin ("Demolition Man") is working on the sequel while another as-yet-unhired writer will tap out "Lethal 5." According to Silver, both scripts may be filmed back-to-back or "we may fold the best elements of both into one script . . . we're keeping our options open."</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/1997/film/news/lemkin-pens-2nd-twister-1116678481/|title = Lemkin pens 2nd 'Twister'|date = 22 August 1997|access-date = 1 March 2022|archive-date = 1 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220301211858/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/lemkin-pens-2nd-twister-1116678481/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In June 1994, [[Richard Donner]] was still planning on making both films. Asked about them in an interview at the time, however, [[Mel Gibson]] said he was not interested in doing any more ''Lethal Weapon'' sequels.<ref>https://ew.com/article/1994/06/03/end-lethal-weapon-franchise/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301234500/https://ew.com/article/1994/06/03/end-lethal-weapon-franchise/ |date=2022-03-01 }} EW.com - "The end of the ''Lethal Weapon'' franchise - Mel Gibson turns down the possibility of another sequel - By Cindy Pearlman - June 03, 1994 - Danny Glover and Mel Gibson may be reunited (briefly) in Maverick, but don’t count on seeing the two together in another Lethal Weapon flick. When asked about director Richard Donner’s plans for two more sequels, Gibson puts his head in his hands and makes a snoring sound. "My answer to more Lethal Weapons? Nah," he says. "I know that there’re two scripts out there. My suggestion is that they change the title to Die Hard 3 and 4. Call the scripts Angry Bruce Willis 4. I’m not interested now."</ref>

Between late 1994 and early 1995, screenwriter [[Jeffrey Boam]] was brought in to rewrite the script for the fourth film. Boam had previously done uncredited work on the first ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'', rewrote an original script by [[Shane Black]] and [[Warren Murphy]] called ''Play Dirty'' into ''[[Lethal Weapon 2]]'', and wrote the story and script for ''Lethal Weapon 3''. He was initially unsure of working on the film, as he had problems with the script and following a bad experience on the third film: he had to keep rewriting that script all through filming and was fired at one point only to be rehired later. Agreeing to work on the fourth script, he tossed out the existing story and began work on his own. His first draft was completed in January 1995, focusing on Riggs and Murtaugh fighting neo-Nazi survivalists committing terrorist attacks on L.A., including using Stinger missiles to attempt to shoot down a jet carrying the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. He said in an interview at the time that he would probably have to write at least three more drafts. By October 1995, Boam was still working on the script, while at the same time also working on a fourth ''Indiana Jones'' film which went unproduced.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theoccasionalcritic.blogspot.com/2009/09/jeffrey-boam-interview-1992.html|title = The Occasional Critic: The Jeffrey Boam interview, 1992|date = 24 September 2009|access-date = 1 March 2022|archive-date = 1 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220301211900/http://theoccasionalcritic.blogspot.com/2009/09/jeffrey-boam-interview-1992.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theoccasionalcritic.blogspot.com/2009/09/jeffrey-boam-interview-june-1995.html|title = The Occasional Critic: Jeffrey Boam interview, June 1995|date = 30 September 2009}}</ref>

[[Peter Bart]]'s book ''The Gross: The Hits, The Flops -- The Summer That Ate Hollywood'' offered many details regarding ''Lethal Weapon 4'''s troubled production, from writing to release. While Boam was still working on his version of the story, other writers were brought in to pen their own versions, all of which were rejected. Though many were positive on the darker, edgier, more serious tone of Boam's script that recalled the first film, it was ultimately rejected because of the tone. Finally, Warner Bros. decided that they wanted to focus on a storyline involving the [[Triad (organized crime)|Chinese Triads]]. Boam would later say he felt that the main plot about counterfeiting Chinese money was not a good or suspenseful enough plot for a ''Lethal Weapon'' sequel.

Jonathan Lemkin was once again brought in to write the first version of the script involving the Triads, about four years after he wrote his first rejected script. Although his new script was received very positively, Warner Bros. again had other writers work on their own versions of the story. [[Alfred Gough]] and [[Miles Millar]] wrote one of the unused scripts; they would be credited with Lemkin for the story of the finished film.

Silver ultimately brought in TV writer [[Channing Gibson]] to work on the script, after he was impressed by Gibson's rewrite of a spec script titled ''Sandblast'', an action adventure thriller by screenwriter [[Steven Maeda]] described as "''[[Die Hard]]'' (1988) meets ''[[Cliffhanger (film)|Cliffhanger]]'' (1993)". Gibson took the gig thinking it would be a more relaxed writing job than anything he did for TV. However, much like the previous two sequels, the script kept getting changed and rewritten over and over again. Gibson would end up doing more work and revisions on it than on all of his TV work put together. Production even started with only half of the script. The ending was not written until it was finally time to film it.

The characters of Leo Getz and Lee Butters were not in the original scripts. [[Joe Pesci]] was hired and paid $1 million for three weeks of work, forcing rewrites. Gibson was "three-fourths" through his newest draft when [[Chris Rock]] was hired, which caused yet another rewrite. Butters was originally written to be a homosexual detective. When they started filming the police station scene between Riggs, Murtaugh, Leo, and Butters, everyone felt the character did not work. He was changed to be Rianne's husband and father to her unborn child. The two only share one scene in the final film with no written dialogue, due to last minute changes made to his character.

Besides Lemkin, Gibson, Gough and Millar, other writers did uncredited work on the script, including Michael Curtis, [[Greg Malins]], [[Fred Dekker]] (who came up with the scene where Riggs and Murtaugh drive their car off the freeway and through the building), and even Boam was brought in to work on the script.

The film entered production in early January 1998 with a planned summer release of that same year. Due to issues during filming, including the script changes, production ended around mid May, less than two months before its scheduled July release. Editors had to work very quickly to have the film ready, which is why the trailers feature some deleted and alternate scenes which are not in the film. Despite this, the film was finished and released as planned.<ref>The Gross: The Hits, The Flops: The Summer That Ate Hollywood by Peter Bart</ref><ref>Maximum Impact: The Legacy of Lethal Weapon - Lethal Weapon Blu-ray Collection</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-ridiculously-fast-turnaround-time-of-lethal-weapon-4/|title=The Ridiculously Fast Turnaround Time of Lethal Weapon 4|date=23 July 2015|access-date=26 March 2022|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814081046/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-ridiculously-fast-turnaround-time-of-lethal-weapon-4/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==

===Box office===
''Lethal Weapon 4'' debuted at {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 1 at the box office with $34.05 million.<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=1998&wknd=28&p=.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010230319/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=1998&wknd=28&p=.htm |date=2015-10-10 }} BOM</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Action-Hero Films Have $70-Million Blast; Box office: 'Lethal 4' opens at No. 1, 'Soldiers' in third, as 'Armageddon' stays solid.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 1998|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-13-ca-3234-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2010|first=Richard|last=Natale|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029090218/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-13-ca-3234-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the film grossed $130 million in the U.S., it was not considered a runaway financial success as the previous three films had been.<ref>{{cite news|title='Lethal' Has a Winning Formula|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 14, 1998|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-14-ca-3440-story.html|access-date=September 11, 2010|first=Robert W.|last=Welkos|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029085235/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-14-ca-3440-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Shooting began in January 1998, just months before the film's release, with a production budget estimated at $120–$150 million (although [[Warner Bros.]] maintained it cost less than $100 million)<ref name="Wolk (1998)">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,83595,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420235759/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,83595,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2007 |title=Lethal Weapon 4 |author=Josh Wolk |date=July 13, 1998 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> and an additional $50 million spent on marketing and distribution.<ref name="Natale (1998)">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-14-fi-3512-story.html |title=Lethal Comes Out Shooting but Stars Will Drain Profit |author=Richard Natala |date=July 14, 1998 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> This made the fourth film the most expensive entry of the series. Its profit margin was saved in part due to the combined foreign box office sales making the film gross approximately $285 million in total,<ref name=mojo>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lethalweapon4.htm |title=Lethal Weapon 4 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-date=September 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912131312/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lethalweapon4.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> making the second highest-grossing film in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series behind, ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]'' (1992). Still, like its predecessors, ''Lethal Weapon 4'' was among the top ten grossing films of its release year.

===Critical reception===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Jet Li's arrival breathes fresh life into a tired franchise formula -- but not enough to put ''Lethal Weapon 4'' on equal footing with its predecessors.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-08-01}} {{MC film|37|21|ref=yes|access-date=2023-08-01}}

[[James Berardinelli]] gave the film three stars out of four, writing: "Given the expectations that constrain it, ''Lethal Weapon 4'' is probably the best motion picture that could possibly result from another teaming of Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. The series has lost a lot of steam since the first two entries, and, although the fourth movie ratchets up the energy level from the moribund state of the disappointing ''Lethal Weapon 3'', there's no sense of spontaneity."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/lethal4.html |title=Lethal Weapon 4 |author=James Berardinelli |work=Film review |publisher=reelviews.net |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630232333/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/lethal4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave ''Lethal Weapon 4'' two stars out of four, writing: "''Lethal Weapon 4'' has all the technical skill of the first three movies in the series, but lacks the secret weapon, which was conviction. All four movies take two cop buddies and put them into spectacular and absurd action sequences, but the first three at least went through the motions of taking the plot seriously (and the first one did such a good job, it made my 'best 10' list of that year). This time, we're watching an exercise."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980710/REVIEWS/807100303/1023 |title=Lethal Weapon 4 |date=July 10, 1998 |work=Reviews |publisher=rogerebert.com |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601094518/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980710/REVIEWS/807100303/1023 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Michael O'Sullivan of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called it a "stupid and violent delicacy" that balances a "patented blend of high action and low comedy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/lethalweapon4osullivan.htm|title=Another Day, Another 'Lethal Weapon'|last=O'Sullivan|first=Michael|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=1998-07-10|access-date=2014-12-13|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005616/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/lethalweapon4osullivan.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was nominated for a [[Razzie Award]] for Worst Supporting Actor for Pesci.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=John|title=The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst |year=2005|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|isbn=0-446-69334-0}}</ref>

===Home media===
''Lethal Weapon 4'' has been released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] numerous times. It has been re-released in numerous sets that contain all four films in the series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lethal Weapon: 4 Film Favorites |publisher=amazon.com |url=https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=lethal+weapon |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> ''Lethal Weapon 4'' was released on [[Blu-ray Disc]] as part of a box set with the additional ''Lethal Weapon'' films on May 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/%E2%80%9Clethal-weapon%E2%80%9D-franchise%E2%80%99s-new-5-disc-blu-ray-collection-debuts-may-22-whv-father%E2%80%99s-day|title="Lethal Weapon" Franchise's New 5-Disc Blu-Ray Collection Debuts On May 22 From WHV For Father's Day|access-date=2023-05-20|archive-date=2023-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520171011/https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/%E2%80%9Clethal-weapon%E2%80%9D-franchise%E2%80%99s-new-5-disc-blu-ray-collection-debuts-may-22-whv-father%E2%80%99s-day|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Walmart">{{cite web |url=http://www.walmart.com/ip/20462032 |title=Lethal Weapon Collection: 1 - 4 (Blu-ray) (Widescreen) |access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The film's music was composed by [[Michael Kamen]], [[Eric Clapton]], and [[David Sanborn]]. This was the only film in the series not to have a soundtrack album released alongside it, but in 2013, La-La Land Records released the score as discs seven and eight of its limited edition ''Lethal Weapon Soundtrack Collection''.

==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>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Lethal Weapon films}}
{{Richard Donner}}

[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s buddy cop films]]
[[Category:1990s Cantonese-language films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s Mandarin-language films]]
[[Category:1998 action comedy films]]
[[Category:1998 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1998 comedy films]]
[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:1998 martial arts films]]
[[Category:1990s pregnancy films]]
[[Category:American action comedy films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:American buddy cop films]]
[[Category:American comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:American martial arts films]]
[[Category:American police detective films]]
[[Category:American pregnancy films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:English-language action comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language crime films]]
[[Category:Films about the Los Angeles Police Department]]
[[Category:Films about human trafficking in the United States]]
[[Category:Films about immigration]]
[[Category:Films about United States Army Special Forces]]
[[Category:Films directed by Richard Donner]]
[[Category:Films produced by Joel Silver]]
[[Category:Films scored by Eric Clapton]]
[[Category:Films scored by Michael Kamen]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
[[Category:Lethal Weapon (franchise)]]
[[Category:Silver Pictures films]]
[[Category:Triad films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:English-language thriller films]]
[[Category:English-language buddy comedy films]]