Back in October, we learned that FOX was rebootingLethal Weaponas a TV series, and the response was pretty much a unanimous “No FOX! Bad FOX!” with a hint of “But why?” Today, FOX has ordered the reboot series to pilot withDamon Wayans Sr.set to star andMcGon board to direct. No FOX. Bad FOX.
Based on the 1987 film starringMel GibsonandDanny Gloveras the odd-couple pair of LAPD Detective Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, theLethal Weaponpilot is written byForevercreatorMatt Milleras whatDeadlinedescribes as a “relatively straight remake featuring the movie’s central characters.” Wayans will follow in Glover’s footsteps as Detective Murtaugh, an officer recovering from a recent heart attack who must avoid stress in his life – a feat made all but impossible when he’s partnered with Sgt. Riggs – a volatile ex-Special Forces soldier devastated by after the death of his wife who is reassigned to homicide after a psychotic episode on the job. Casting is still underway for the role originated by Gibson.
I try very hard not to be a negative nancy about upcoming projects sight-unseen, but this is so hard to buy into. Without the electricity ofShane Black’s script,Richard Donner’s direction, and the insane chemistry between Gibson and Glover, all that’s left is a pretty generic buddy cop procedural. But again, given that the pilot hasn’t even rolled into production yet, I’m going to hold out hope that this might be a pleasant surprise.
Lethal Weaponis the latest in the movie-to-TV series remake crazy, which has been running strong for a few years. While certain properties likeBates MotelandAsh vs Evil Deadhave lent themselves to serialized reimaginings, other shows including and FOX’s ownMinority Reporthave missed the mark. All the same, the trend shows no signs of slowing down with some recent additions including pilots forTraining Dayat CBS andFrequencyat The CW (who is also developing adaptations ofFriday the 13< andThe Notebook), as well as the straight-to-series order forTakenat NBC.
What do you guys think of this development? Can you see Wayans in the role? Who would be a good Riggs? Still asking yourself why this is a thing? Sounds off in the comments below.
