MovieChat Forums > Lethal Weapon 5 Discussion > Jumped the shark a long time ago

Jumped the shark a long time ago


Since it shifted from gritty action with buddy humor to family sit com with a few action set pieces.

Since Gibson is directing and they both are old, I can only hope for a radical change of direction, but I doubt it.

AND PLEASE NO NEW KID ON THE BLOCK ADDITION (like a Hemsworth or similar to play the young cop that they take under their wings).

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New kid on the block trope is usually irritating. Sometimes it's fun though.

I'm getting too old for this shit.

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Maybe it's because I just watched Wrath of Man but while I agree with you about the new kid thing... if they really want to put one there, I think Josh Hartnett would be a good choice to fill that role.

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I was just gonna write "AND PLEASE NO NEW KID ON THE BLOCK ADDITION (like a Josh Hartnett"
but then I thought "that guy has not been a young kid for a least a decade", so I put Hemsworth as an example.
So yeah, no new kid, including and especially Josh Hartnett, who was shit as that even 20 years ago in Hollywood Homicide.

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Right.

I can't really imagine them doing a "Grumpy Old Men With Guns" film. They will aim for big box office money so rest assured there WILL be new blood in there. But don't worry. They will probably take anything BUT a white man for this role. So no Hartnett and no Hemsworth. PHEW !

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I see what you mean with the grumpy old men.
But why not?
Maybe they are down to the point they don't care anymore to live so they become real dangerous, like Riggs was in the first Lethal Weapon.
And if Neeson can pull off action at his age, I'm sure both Gibson and Glover will be fine too.

What's the point of yet another action packed movie with some young buff guy? Who gives a fuck anymore about that? It's been done a billion times already.
And we care about Riggs and Martaugh, not some new guy.

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Not just for the action. I, myself, don't care that much for a lot of action as long as the intrigue is good. I'm thinking more about bringing something more in the mix.

I think that due to their age, I can foresee there would be a lot of "old school" vs "new school / technology" references, and probably "funny" situations and things like that.

I understand what you say but again, they will need to attract a younger crowd. They can't rely only on us for profitability. And the easiest way to do that is by bringing in actors that the younger generation know and like, I think. Like a Henry Caville maybe (I don't know, I'm just naming names) or a Emma Stone that could be FBI agents or a very motivated relative of someone's who disappeared/got kidnapped or simply a son or daughter of Riggs or Roger that's involved in something weird, etc.

The more I think about it and the more I dislike the idea of a recruit they'd have to school.

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I think it’ll be pretty solid just like all the others.

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If Mel directs, and they can get the whole ensemble back, it will be great.

Two things that will help make it even MORE fantastic......

1) Can they get Joe Pesci out of retirement and willing to play Leo one last time? One last role? (Do it for Richard Donner, Joe. Do it for Richard)

2) Can they get Sanborn and Clapton to do those jazzy little riffs throughout the movie? (Or at least....re-use the old, canned riffs)

Part of the charm and fun of the LW movies is how the cast has become like a family. They clearly have a lot of fun making these movies, and have a lot of affection for each other.

And since LW5 was a labor of love for Richard Donner ( and was probably to be his swan song), I think Mel and the rest of the cast will have it in their hearts to make it something special.

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No way in hell Leo doesn't come back. I'll eat those words but if Scorcese could lure that dude out of retirement, this movie sure as F will.

"And since LW5 was a labor of love for Richard Donner ( and was probably to be his swan song), I think Mel and the rest of the cast will have it in their hearts to make it something special."

All god damn day. This is gonna be a hard core throw back movie to the good old days. I know it. Mel is a maniac and not afraid to burn bridges.

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That is precisely what this movie should NOT be.
A nostalgic private joke of the cast or crew.
Fuck that noise.

NOBODY LIKES OR CARES FOR REUNION SHOWS.
Either they have the inspiration and need to add a solid chapter to what is already there, and develope it into what is probably the end, or they should leave it alone.

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I'm not saying do a reunion flick. What I am saying is....there's a natural chemistry that has formed within the cast (and even the crew/director), and that comes across on-screen. These people like each other, and play off each other very well. Riggs and Murtaugh come across as truly being longtime partners in crime, that rapport they have is believable.

One thing's for certain, and I can't stress this enough......if Mel is directing and personally involved in this project, it will be good. He's too talented....(and has too much respect for Richard Donner) to just put a paint-by-the-numbers LW movie out there just for a cash grab. This was Donner's baby, and it's personal for Mel and Danny as well.

Plus, there's plenty of recent subject matter they could tackle with a solid writer. Lots of things have changed in the world (MeToo, COVID, BLM, police reform, Russia, etc, etc...). If they really lean into this project, it would be a welcome return to a genre that has just about become extinct. (And, a welcome big-screen return of 2 characters it would be great to see again).

Hey, if you don't want to see it.......don't go.

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ok, I like what you are saying.
I misunderstood, while we actually agree.

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there was a shark in lethal weapon 4

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This franchise should have ended with the second one.

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It would have given prominence to how that film ended.

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New kid on the block would most likely be it. Maybe Riggs or Murtagh's kid or relative is now a cop? Something happens to them, Riggs and Murtagh come out of retirement to hunt down the crims etc etc

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