'Lethal Weapon' TV Series Release: Characters Riggs and Murtaugh Return, but Not How You Might Remember Them
Riggs and Murtaugh Are Back on the Streets in TV Reboot
Fans of the "Lethal Weapon" franchise should rejoice as Fox confirmed that they will be doing a reboot, taking the series into the modern times.
The characters of the book, cop Roger Murtaugh and loose cannon Martin Riggs, are returning; however, Danny Glover and Mel Gibson will not. Fox stated there will be new actors playing the characters, and the setting will be modern-day Los Angeles.
Roger Murtaugh
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Being played famously by Danny Glover in the previous films, Murtaugh will now be played by Damon Wayans. Wayans is a member of the famous Wayans comedy family. While he is most known for his comedic roles, Wayans is not a stranger to action films.
Wayans played opposite Bruce Willis in "The Last Boyscout" and Adam Sandler in "Bulletproof," both mildly successful action films.
However, the biggest question here is Glover played Murtaugh as a cop who was always near his retirement. In fact, Murtaugh's famous line in the "Lethal Weapon" films is, "I am getting to old for this!"
Wayans is obviously a lot younger than Murtaugh, and the synopsis of the new show is that Murtaugh is now a detective who recently had a minor heart attack and needs to lessen the stress in his life.
Martin Riggs
Martin Riggs was possibly the breakout role for a young Mel Gibson back in the '80s. Riggs was the prototype loose cannon, and Gibson played him very well in the earlier movies.
Riggs will now be played by Clayne Crawford who many might remember from "A Walk to Remember" as well as stints on shows such as "Rectify," "24," and "The Glades." Crawford will try and recreate the magic that Gibson brought to the character over 20 years ago.
Riggs' backstory has not changed all that much from the original films. He is a former Texas cop and Navy Seal and has recently relocated to Los Angeles after the tragic loss of his wife and baby.
Chemistry
It is important that Riggs and Murtaugh have a rocky relationship at first and learn to trust each other as the series goes on. Since the series is a reboot, it is okay if the characters are not exactly like their previous counterparts, but the success of the series will land squarely on the shoulders of Wayans and Crawford.
"Lethal Weapon" is set to debut this fall on Fox as part of their new fall lineup. Legendary Hollywood producer and director McG has signed on to the project as an executive producer and has his hand in the script for the pilot episode.
