Mel Gibson Says ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ Would Move the Franchise Forward With Older Characters and a Revised Script

Mel Gibson has shared an update on the long-developed idea of a fifth “Lethal Weapon” film, saying he believes the latest version of the script would outpace earlier attempts at getting the project made. In an interview reported by Deadline on Aug. 11, Gibson said he thinks “the fifth script is better than all of the others,” framing the update as progress after years in which he had repeatedly expressed interest in returning to the franchise.

Gibson described how the characters would likely look different from the earlier movies, noting that they would be “quite different” because they are older. He said the premise is not just a continuation of the earlier dynamic, but a re-entry into the same characters after time has passed, with the story and performances shaped by their age and circumstances.

The reported comments come after Gibson had discussed the potential for “Lethal Weapon 5” for years, reflecting the franchise’s recurring momentum and recurring obstacles in translating those discussions into a finalized production timeline. Deadline’s report places the newest update in the context of Gibson continuing to talk about the film’s status and creative direction.

While Gibson did not lay out a release date in the Deadline account, the remarks indicate that at least one significant creative milestone, a revised script he is responding to, is part of the current stage of development. Gibson’s comparison of the fifth script to the earlier drafts suggests ongoing work intended to improve the material and align the film with what he views as the series’ best version of itself.

Gibson also tied the envisioned “Lethal Weapon 5” concept to the franchise’s long arc of character-driven policing and partnership, emphasizing that the returning players would bring different life experience to the story. The Deadline summary does not specify plot points beyond the notion of older characters, but it underscores the idea that any continuation would have to adapt the tone and stakes to reflect the time jump.

The update arrives in a landscape where major legacy franchises depend heavily on clear creative commitments, not just star interest, to secure financing, schedules, and production approvals. If Gibson’s remarks about the script reflect a current draft nearing readiness, the next steps would typically involve formalizing the screenplay’s status, aligning key creative and production personnel, and mapping a shoot-ready timetable.

Deadline’s report centers on Gibson’s comments and the character-aging premise, without adding specific casting confirmations or studio decisions. Until additional reporting or official production announcements emerge, the practical takeaway from the Aug. 11 interview is that Gibson believes the strongest story version of “Lethal Weapon 5” to date is in development, with the characters’ older status positioned as an essential element of the sequel’s direction.