SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In his first-ever convention appearance, Hollywood actor/director Mel Gibson told FanX attendees on Saturday that he’s sitting on a “Lethal Weapon 5” script, but he is having trouble getting it made.
“The fifth one is written,” said Gibson. “It’s interesting. It’s been held up for one reason or another. There’s always issues with these things.”
Gibson said director Richard Donner had started the script, which Gibson later completed. Donner died in 2021, but had previously secured a promise from Gibson to direct the film.
“I think it’s the best one of the whole series,” said Gibson. “But it just won’t get made for some reason or another. I can’t even explain why.”
The first “Lethal Weapon” premiered in 1987, with sequels following in 1989, 1992, and 1998 — all directed by Donner and all starring Gibson as Martin Riggs. Gibson spoke some about where the character of Riggs came from.
“I remember talking to a guy, who was — he was a Navy Seal and he was with the Phoenix Program and they used to just put them in black pajamas and drop them behind enemy lines in North Vietnam,” said Gibson. “And get them to do hits. And he used to just go in there by himself, and he told me all about his experiences.”
Gibson said the post-traumatic stress disorder that many veterans face became a touchstone for Riggs’ character. Gibson said his heart goes out to veterans who suffer from it.
Gibson spoke for around half an hour at FanX. In addition to talking about “Lethal Weapon,” he also shared stories about his storied acting and directing career.
Getting cast in “Mad Max”
I got into a barfight with a rugby team. You know, I had a big mouth. So, I ended up the worse for wear. You know, a fat lip, a thick ear, a broken nose – you know, the whole deal. I drove a friend to an audition, a guy named Steven Bisley. For a film called “Mad Max.” I drove him to the audition. I was sitting in the waiting room, and the girls in the waiting room said, “Boy, what happened to you?” ‘Cause I looked like a pound of hamburger, you know? … And she took some Polaroids of me ‘cause I was so disfigured and she said, “We need freaks in this movie. Come back when you heal up.” And I said, “OK.” So, I waited about three weeks until it was all healed up and I went back in. And she said, “Who are you?” And I pointed to the Polaroid, and I said, “That guy.” And she said, “Oh, go in and talk to the director.” And I went in. He said, “Tell me a joke.” I told him a joke. And he said, “OK, can you drive?” I said, “Yeah.” So, I got the part.
On doing Elmer Fudd voices while directing “Braveheart”
“Actually, even in the thickest drama, I think you need to be aware of the humor of situations. I think when people are laughing, it’s not necessarily because it’s screamingly funny, but because maybe they identify with some aspect of truth, so the humor is a very important part of any story, whether it’s funny, sad, tragic, whatever it is — because if you don’t laugh with the people, you certainly won’t cry with them.”
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