Buddy cop franchise Lethal Weapon has been repackaged as a TV series that is to air this year, minus the original stars.
First, we had endless remakes of movies now we have them being turned into TV shows. For example, Rush Hour has been given the TV series treatment also without the original actors. Recycling of ideas is all the rage now, even little known Mark Wahlberg action flick ‘Shooter’ from 2007 has been turned into a TV series starring Ryan Phillippe.
Starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon in 1987 began the craze in buddy cop movies and was a massive hit. In it, a veteran cop, Murtaugh, is partnered with a young suicidal cop, Riggs. Both having one thing in common; hating working in pairs. They must learn to work with one another to stop a gang of drug smugglers.
It was written by Shane Black and directed by Richard Donner, and was an instant hit that spawned three sequels of diminishing returns, with the fourth and last one, in my opinion, a disaster.
The new TV show is based on the popular films in which a slightly unhinged cop is partnered with a veteran detective trying to maintain a low-stress level in his life.
Taking on the Mel Gibson role of Martin Riggs is Alabama native Clayne Crawford while Damon Wayans is Danny Glover’s character Roger Murtaugh. Crawford (38) is relatively unknown despite roles in numerous films and TV series. Actor and comedian Damon Wayans (55) is best known for his comedy roles in such films as ‘I’m Gonna Git You Sucka’ in 1988 and ‘The Last Boy Scout’ in 1991.
Fox recently released a cringe-worthy trailer for the new series that leaves a lot to be desired and merely has one mourning for what happened to the franchise.
Mel Gibson (60) will next be seen in ‘Blood Father’ in which he plays an ex-con who reunites with his estranged wayward 16-year old daughter to protect her from drug dealers who are trying to kill her.
“I think the Lethal Weapon movies contain my favourite performances. It sounds really crummy, I know, but although the work doesn’t look hard, it’s difficult to create effortless on screen,” he stated previously about the franchise.
Danny Glover (69) has numerous projects in post-production, including B-movie ‘Death Race 4’ alongside a number of unknown actors. Plans for Lethal Weapon 5 have been left behind. It seems, to paraphrase the words of Glover’s character in Lethal Weapon, ‘they are too old for this franchise!’
It remains to be seen if the series can make a mark of its own. We might just see Gibson and Glover back for more action!