Lethal Weapon 5 - Mel says he is too old for that Shit!

/film have the news that original series director Richard Donner (via: the Los Angeles Times) has said that Gibson turned down the idea for Lethal Weapon 5 and the project is dead.

“Mel turned it down. I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn’t involved. Knowing Mel, I would like to think that. Would that be the kind of thing he does? It sure would be,” Donner said. “It’s too bad, actually, because Channing Gibson, who wrote the fourth one, and Mike Riva, a designer on three of them, and myself and Derek [Hoffman, an associate at The Donner Company] had an incredibly strong story for the fifth movie. But we weren’t given the opportunity and I think maybe I could have convinced Mel to do it. But Warners chose to go with Joel Silver.”

Donner concluded “Yes, the project is pretty much dead in the water unless someone had the sense to come to me.”

So that appears to be the end of that. What do you think?
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Lethal Weapon 5 is a definite go? I'm too old for this Shit and I'm probably the umpteenth site to use that

I mentioned a while ago that Lethal Weapon 5 was being written by the great Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). It was very much a rumour but looks like things are moving ahead with it after all. IGN talked with actor Columbus Short who said that he was up for a role in the sequel and that the film is on the fast track at Warner Brothers. Short might play Murtaugh's son and hints that indeed both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover will be back.

Is it good or bad news that they are making another Lethal Weapon movie? I really hope they don't try and introduce a younger pair to take over the franchise at a later date.

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The Random

Nights in Rodanthe screenwriter Ann Peacock has signed on to adapt John Grisham’s 1997 novel The Partner. [THR]

Robert Duvall is developing The Pony Express, a new AMC western television series, which he also plans to star in. Band of Brothers screenwriter Erik Jendresen is writing the pilot, and Richard Donner is expected to direct. [Variety]

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles star Thomas Dekker has signed on to star in the big screen remake of the 1980 musical Fame, which is scheduled to begin production in February, for a late 2009 release. [FirstShowing]

Batman-on-film is reporting that “very early pre-production” has begun on a sequel to The Dark Knight.

Customers will be able to purchase new Dell computers with a $20 option to have Iron Man pre-loaded on the machine. The $20 investment will also include “exclusive bonus footage” not included in the DVD release.

When MTV asked Kirsten Dunst if she would be returning for Spider-Man 4, the actress responded “I’m in.” Which sounds like a done deal if you ask me. But when pressed if she officially signed on to return, the actress changed her tone, “I’m not saying anything, I know there’s rumors…”

Shaun of the Dead and Little Britain actor Matt Lucas is playing both Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Tim Burton’s 3D adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Lucas revealed the news on BBC’s Friday Night with Johnathan Ross.

MTV has a first look at Harry Potter star Rupert Grint in the dramatic indie thriller Cherrybomb.

FirstShowing caught up with producer Donald De Line, who revealed that a new draft of The Green Lantern has been turned in, and while nothing is “confirmed” they’re “gearing up to start shooting early spring.”

A better quality photo of the crushed cab from the opening sequence from the film adaptation of the comic "Kick Ass"

The first photo from the "Inglorious Bastards" set - a small French farmhouse built in the Czech hills.

"Fox Atomic is developing a new 'Alien Infection Project' hypothesizing a worldwide viral outbreak caused by a spacecraft returning from Mars with rock and soil samples..." (full details)

"Peter Cullen confirms that he's only voiced the opening narration of the 'Transformers' sequel so far, his main work as Optimus Prime will be recorded sometime in November..." (full details)

"'Watchmen' and '300 director Zack Snyder has signed a deal to develop three original games for Electronic Arts. EA will own the intellectual properties, but under the deal the publisher may turn some or all of them into films that will be produced by Snyder's Cruel & Unusual Films banner..." (full details)"

In a recent interview, James Cameron admits "There was no blessing involved" in the upcoming "Terminator Salvation" and that he never saw the script..." (full details)

"Sylvester Stallone has arrived to Bulgaria reportedly looking for locations for the next "Rambo" movie. Stallone will visit the Nu Boyana film studios and the Worldwide FX company that made the special effects for the recent fourth film..." (full details)"

An image of Dr. Manhattan's transformation in "Watchmen" has been hidden in the new trailer for "Frank Miller's The Spirit"..." (full details)"

Joel Silver is waiting on Mel Gibson's approval of Shane Black's script treatment for a fifth "Lethal Weapon" before moving forward. The story introduces a new pair of young NYPD police officers..." (full details)

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Shane Black puts Lethal Weapon 5 on hold to make Cold Warrior

Variety reports that Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is signed to direct a Cold War-era spy film titled Cold Warrior for Universal.

Chuck Mondry’s script tells the story of a spy who returns for retirement, and must team with a younger new school agent to confront a domestic terror threat from Russia.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a great movie that many people missed when it came out. Go and do yourself a favour and watch it as soon as you can. Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer are brilliant in it.

Still too early to tell what Cold Warrior will be like. The idea sounds pretty good but a little generic. It is also not clear if Black will be doing a rewrite on the script.

What do you think? Did you enjoy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang? Do you wish Black would just get on with Lethal Weapon 5?

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Lethal Weapon 5? Shane Black writing it

It’s being reported by TrackingB that legendary screenwriter, Shane Black, has written a script for Lethal Weapon 5 and handed it over to his friend, the franchise’s producer Joel Silver. Moreover, the guys pictured above are said to be interested in reprising their roles as LAPD badges Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. Coming Soon posted the following logline…

This time, homicidal Riggs (Mel Gibson) is about to retire, but pulls Murtaugh (Danny Glover) out of retirement to solve one final case, before they both officially head off into the sunset.

I'll keep you posted as and when I find out more.

Discuss in the forum.