MOVIE NEWS – Not only is Mel Gibson about to jump back into the director’s chair, but he could also be back as Detective Riggs.

Twenty-three years on from the last episode, it looks like the Lethal Weapon series could be back soon – at least if Mel Gibson has anything to do with it. The star recently said at an event in London that he has promised to direct the next film.

The father of the series, renowned and acclaimed director Richard Donner, passed away this July. Before that, however, Gibson claims to have made a promise to the actor who brought the character of Martin Riggs to life four times that he would be the one to make Lethal Weapon 5.

“He was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, ‘Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it.’ And I said: ‘Shut up.’,” Gibson said.

“But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn’t say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer [that I should direct the film].  But he told his wife, the studio and the producer.”

“So I will be directing the fifth one”.

Several sources with insight into the project have confirmed that Gibson plans to direct and wants to return to the screen as Riggs.

Gibson’s career has been somewhat tarnished over the last 15 years: one only has to recall his anti-Semitic outbursts in the 2000s or the reports of his alcohol problem and violent behaviour. He could do with a revival of one of his most memorable film roles, especially given that the Lethal Weapon films have grossed around $200-250 million each, so presumably, he would not be financially out of work.

If all goes well, filming could start as early as 2022.

Source: The Sun