Lethal Weapon is an American buddy cop action-comedy media franchise created by Shane Black and owned by Warner Bros. Pictures. It focuses on two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives, Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. The franchise consists of a series of four films released between 1987 and 1998 and a television series which aired from 2016 to 2019. The four films were directed by Richard Donner and also share many of the same core cast members, while the television series is a reboot with different actors. Although the first film was not explicitly a comedy, the later films and the television series gradually became comedic in nature.
A proposed fifth installment had been in talks and development since 2007. The franchise generated $2 billion in box-office and merchandising revenue from 1987 to 1998.
Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s)Story by Producers Lethal Weapon March 6, 1987 Richard DonnerShane Black Richard Donner & Joel Silver Lethal Weapon 2 July 7, 1989 Jeffrey BoamShane Black & Warren Murphy Lethal Weapon 3 May 15, 1992 Jeffrey Boam & Robert Mark KamenJeffrey Boam Lethal Weapon 4 July 10, 1998Channing GibsonJonathan Lemkin & Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Anxious with age and retirement, homicide detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is partnered with young and suicidal narcotics officer Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Together, they work the case of the alleged suicide of Amanda Hunsaker (Jackie Swanson), daughter of a wealthy businessman who served with Murtaugh in Vietnam. Murtaugh and Riggs soon discover that Hunsaker was involved in a heroin-smuggling scheme led by a retired general (Mitchell Ryan) and his lead enforcer (Gary Busey).
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
During a car chase, Riggs and Murtaugh stumble upon a trunk full of smuggled South African Krugerrands. This sparks a series of attempts at their lives, forcing them to take a less dangerous case, protecting Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a loud-mouthed whistleblower with whom they gradually bond and befriend. However, they realize that Getz was involved in the same South African illegal activities. As a result, the three men become entangled in a drug-smuggling operation involving South African diplomats in Los Angeles, using their immunity as a shield. Riggs kills the murderer of his girlfriend, who is among the criminals.
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
As Murtaugh, who is one week from retiring, and Riggs investigate a robbery committed using a duplicate armored car, they find themselves in the middle of an Internal Affairs investigation led by Sergeant Lorna Cole (Rene Russo). With assistance from Leo, they learn that the subject of the investigation is a rogue cop (Stuart Wilson) who is stealing impounded weapons and selling them on the black market. During the investigation, Murtaugh shoots and kills a teenager who attacks him and Riggs; he turns out to be a friend of his own son. This prompts Murtaugh to capture the man responsible for the distribution of illegal firearms and to rethink his retirement.
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
While his girlfriend Lorna and Murtaugh’s daughter Rianne are both pregnant, Riggs again teams up with Murtaugh and Leo as well as rookie Detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock) to investigate a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring. Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li) is a ruthless enforcer who attempts to murder Murtaugh's family by burning them alive in their home. Murtaugh discovers that Butters is the father of his daughter's unborn child. The two kill dozens of Chinese gangsters and catch up with the boss of the smuggling ring. Riggs and Lorna are married at the end of the film as their child is born.
Proposed fifth film Since 2007, there had long been talk of a fifth Lethal Weapon film, although both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover initially expressed a lack of interest. Gibson confirmed in November 2021 that he was in talks to direct and star in the fifth film, saying that he would be helming the film to honor Donner, who wrote the screenplay and was originally set to direct the film prior to his death in July 2021. It was reported that Richard Wenk (The Equalizer, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back) had drafted the screenplay.
In June 2024, Gibson confirmed in an interview with the Inspire Me podcast that he would direct the fifth installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise and that the film would stay true to Donner's vision and influence. Gibson also stated that he and Glover would return to play their respective roles of Riggs and Murtaugh.
In September 2024, Gibson attended FanX Comic Convention in Salt Lake City, where he talked about the franchise, while voicing his displeasure as to why Hollywood producers were not giving him approval to work on the film. He said, "The fifth one is written. It's interesting. It's been held up for one reason or another. There's always issues with these things. I think it's the best one of the whole series. But it just won't get made for some reason or another. I can't even explain why."
Television Lethal Weapon (2016–2019)
A television adaptation of the film series was developed by Matthew Miller as co-executive producer, along with Dan Lin and Jennifer Gwartz for Fox. Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans starred as Riggs and Murtaugh. Other cast include Keesha Sharp replacing Golden Brooks as Trish, Jordana Brewster as Dr. Maureen Cahill, Kevin Rahm as Captain Brooks Avery, Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh, Dante Brown as Roger "R.J." Murtaugh Jr., Johnathan Fernandez as Scorsese, and Thomas Lennon in the recurring role of Leo Getz. Fox gave Lethal Weapon a series order in May 2016. For the third season, Crawford was replaced by Seann William Scott, as a new character named Wesley Cole. Crawford was fired from the show after Fox and Warner Bros. refused to aid in escalating tensions between Crawford and Wayans, and the series killed off the character of Riggs. After three seasons Fox canceled the show in May 2019.
Cast and crew Cast A indicates the actor portrayed the role of a younger version of the character. A indicates the actor portrayed the role of the character in a photograph. A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film. Characters Films Television series Lethal Weapon Lethal Weapon 2 Lethal Weapon 3 Lethal Weapon 4 Lethal Weapon 1987 1989 1992 1998 2016–2019 The Gang Martin Riggs Mel Gibson Clayne Crawford (Seasons 1 & 2) Roger Murtaugh Danny Glover Damon Wayans Leo Getz Joe Pesci Thomas Lennon Lorna Cole Riggs Rene Russo Lee Butters Chris RockWesley ColeSeann William Scott (Season 3) Riggs' love interests Victoria Lynn Riggs Floriana Lima (as Miranda Riggs) Rika van den Hass Patsy Kensit Karen Palmer Hilarie Burton Molly Hendricks Kristen Gutoskie Murtaugh's family Trish Murtaugh Darlene Love Keesha Sharp Rianne Murtaugh Traci Wolfe Chandler Kinney (as Riana Murtaugh) Nick Murtaugh Damon Hines Dante Brown (as Roger Murtaugh Jr.) Carrie Murtaugh Ebonie Smith Other Captain Ed Murphy Steve Kahan Kevin Rahm (as Captain Brooks Avery) Dr. Stephanie Woods Mary Ellen Trainor Jordana Brewster (as Dr. Maureen Cahill) Mr. Joshua Gary Busey Gen. Peter McAlliser Mitchell Ryan Michael Hunsaker Tom Atkins Arjen Rudd Joss Ackland Pieter Vorstedt Derrick O'Connor Mickey McGee Jack McGee Jack Travis Stuart Wilson Tyrone Gregory Millar Wah Sing Ku Jet Li Uncle Benny Chan Kim Chan Hong Eddy Ko Detective Ng Calvin Jung Bernard Scorsese Johnathan Fernandez Detective Sonya Bailey Michelle Mitchenor Detective Alejandro "Alex" Cruz Richard Cabral Detective Zach Bowman Andrew Creer Natalie Flynn Maggie Lawson Erica Malick Nishi Munshi Louie "The Gute" Gutierrez Paola Lázaro
Crew Crew/Detail Film Lethal Weapon Lethal Weapon 2 Lethal Weapon 3 Lethal Weapon 4 1987 1989 1992 1998 Director Richard Donner Producer(s) Richard DonnerJoel Silver Screenwriter(s)Shane Black Jeffrey Boam Jeffrey BoamRobert Mark Kamen Channing Gibson Story by Shane BlackWarren Murphy Jeffrey Boam Jonathan LemkinAlfred GoughMiles Millar Composer(s) Michael KamenEric Clapton Michael KamenEric ClaptonDavid Sanborn Director of photography Stephen Goldblatt Jan de Bont Andrzej Bartkowiak Editor(s) Stuart Baird Robert BrownBattle Davis Frank J. UriosteDallas Puett Production companies Silver Pictures Silver PicturesDoshudo Productions Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures
Reception Box office performance Film Release date Box office revenue Box office ranking Budget Reference North America Other territories Worldwide All time domestic All time worldwideLethal WeaponMarch 6, 1987$65,207,127 $55,000,000 $120,207,127 #795 $15 millionLethal Weapon 2July 7, 1989 $147,253,986 $80,600,000$227,853,986 #190 #172(A) #323$25 millionLethal Weapon 3May 15, 1992$144,731,527$177,000,000 $321,731,527 #199 #189(A) #189$35 millionLethal Weapon 4July 10, 1998 $130,444,603 $155,000,000 $285,444,603 #255 #236$150 millionTotal$487,637,243$467,600,000$955,237,243 $225 million(E)
Critical and public response Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore Lethal Weapon 81% (59 reviews) 68 (23 reviews) Lethal Weapon 2 82% (44 reviews) 70 (21 reviews) Lethal Weapon 3 60% (47 reviews) 40 (26 reviews) Lethal Weapon 4 53% (68 reviews) 37 (21 reviews)
Music Soundtracks Title U.S. release date Length Performed by Label Lethal Weapon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack March 31, 1987 40:00 Michael Kamen, Eric Clapton and David Sanborn Warner Bros. Records Lethal Weapon 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack August 2, 1989 45:56 Lethal Weapon 3: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack June 9, 1992 39:32 Reprise Records Lethal Weapon 4: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack December 3, 2013 100:20 La-La Land Records Lethal Weapon: Soundtrack Collection 464:51
Singles Title U.S. release date Length Artist(s) Label Film "Lethal Weapon" 2:44 Honeymoon Suite Warner Bros. Records Lethal Weapon "Cheer Down" 4:08 George Harrison Lethal Weapon 2 "It's Probably Me" 4:41 Sting featuring Eric Clapton A&M Lethal Weapon 3 "Runaway Train" 3:56 Elton John and Eric Clapton MCA and Rocket "Fire in the Hole" 5:31 Van Halen Warner Bros. Records Lethal Weapon 4 "Pilgrim" 5:50 Eric Clapton Reprise RecordsWarner Bros. Records
Other media Video game Lethal Weapon – based on Lethal Weapon 3, released in 1992.
Pinball Lethal Weapon 3 - released in 1992
Theme park ride Lethal Weapon – The Ride
References