Lethal Weapon 4 (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max until 7/31)

Initial release date: July 10, 1998

Studios: Warner Bros./ Silver Pictures

Tagline: The Gang's All Here

The faces you love. The action you expect.

Plot: Detective Riggs tries to settle down with his pregnant girlfriend, Lorna, while his partner, Murtaugh, comes to grips with the marriage of his pregnant daughter, Rianne, to fellow cop Butters. But they find themselves and their families targeted by Chinese mobsters, led by Wah Sing Ku. Riggs, Murtaugh, Butters and private eye Getz decide to go on the offensive before the gangsters get to their loved ones.

Cast

Mel Gibson - Martin Riggs

Danny Glover - Roger Murtaugh

Joe Pesci - Leo Getz

Rene Russo - Lorna Cole

Chris Rock - Lee Butters

Jet Li - Wah Sing Ku

Steve Kahan - Captain Murphy

Kim Chan - Uncle Benny

Darlene Love - Trish Murtaugh

Traci Wolfe - Rianne

Eddy Ko - Hong

Damon Hines - Nick Murtaugh

Ebonie Smith - Carrie Murtaugh

Mary Ellen Trainor - Stephanie Woods

Writer: Channing Gibson (Walking Tall; Cradle 2 The Grave)

Director: Richard Donner

Rated R for violence and language (127 minutes)

It's hard to believe that the year 1998 was the last time Riggs and Murtaugh were on the big screen together. There are still rumblings of a fifth movie for HBO Max, which Gibson might direct in honor of the late Richard Donner. Anyway, moving on to the fourth and, at the moment, the final entry of the series - 'Lethal Weapon 4.'

Just like the others, there is some insane action. And, adding Jet Li into the mix as this movie's villain made it even more exciting.

There are some parts that kind of feel rushed and feel on the disjointed side. But, that could actually be due to the rushed production the filmmakers had (see trivia bits for more). Gibson and Glover still worked well together and the action will still keep you entertained.

During the end credits, you see production stills from all the movies and I think that's a nice little touch. So, if they do end up making a fifth one, let's hope they knock it out of the park!!

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Lethal Weapon 4':

• Not only was this Jet Li's first American-produced movie, it was also the first time he's ever played a villain.

• Donner asked Jet Li to show down during action sequences, because he was moving faster than the camera shutter speed, and it wasn't registering on film.

• Jackie Chan was considered for the role of Wah Sing Ku, but turned it down, because he chose never to play a villain in a movie.

• The Murtaugh family are played by the same actors and actresses in all four movies.

• The ending was still being written while the movie was in production.

• Warner only took a decision to green light a fourth movie late in 1997 realizing they had no big tent-pole releases scheduled for summer 1998. In fact, production on the movie began in January 1998.

• In early 1993, a year after the release and big success of 'Lethal Weapon 3,' WB and producer Joel Silver tried buying a new spec script titled 'Simon Says.' Fox eventually bought this script and turned it into 'Die Hard With A Vengeance.'

• In July 1993, WB and Silver started working on not just the fourth movie, but the fifth one as well. Plans were to shoot the sequels back to back but Gibson was then reluctant.

• The movie went into production in very early January 1998, with an already planned summer release, but due to issues during filming including the script changes, production ended around mid May, less than two months before its scheduled July release! Editors had to work very quickly to have the movie ready, which is why the trailers for it show some deleted and alternate scenes which aren't in the movie.

• 'Lethal Weapon 4' debuted at No. 1 at the box office with $35.05 million. Although it grossed $130 million in the US, it wasn't considered a runaway financial success as the previous three movies have been.

• A fifth 'Lethal Weapon' has been talked about for years. In January 2020 producer Dan Lin (Godzilla vs. King) considered that 'Lethal Weapon 5' is in active development.

• In December 2020, Donner confirmed that he was developing the sequel and would produce and direct it, adding that it would be the last movie he directs. However, Donner died on July 5, 2021, leaving the movie's fate unknown. Gibson has been approached for potentially directing a fifth movie.

• On November 15, 2021, Gibson confirmed that he's in talks to direct and star in the fifth movie, saying that he would be helming the movie to honor Donner. The production will be exclusive to HBO Max with no theatrical release.

https://youtu.be/pi2cGmz9Q2A