Who Played in Lethal Weapon?
The Lethal Weapon franchise has been a staple of action-comedy films for decades, with a total of five movies and a popular television series. The franchise has seen many talented actors bring the iconic characters to life, but who played in Lethal Weapon?
The Original Cast
The original Lethal Weapon film, released in 1987, starred Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs, a loose-cannon detective, and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh, a by-the-book detective. The two characters were forced to work together to solve a case, leading to a series of hilarious and action-packed encounters.
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Martin Riggs | Mel Gibson |
| Roger Murtaugh | Danny Glover |
Sequels and Prequels
The success of the first film led to three sequels: Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), and Lethal Weapon 4 (1998). The franchise also spawned a prequel, Lethal Weapon 0: The Original Movie (2019), which explored the early years of Martin Riggs.
New Faces
In 2016, a television series reboot of Lethal Weapon premiered on Fox, starring Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs and Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh. However, due to creative differences and a scandal surrounding Crawford, Seann William Scott took over the role of Martin Riggs in season 2.
| Actor | Role | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Clayne Crawford | Martin Riggs | 1 |
| Seann William Scott | Martin Riggs | 2-3 |
| Damon Wayans | Roger Murtaugh | 1-3 |
The Legacy
The Lethal Weapon franchise has left a lasting impact on action-comedy films, paving the way for other iconic duos like Rush Hour and 48 Hrs. The franchise has also seen many memorable villains, including Gary Busey in Lethal Weapon 2 and Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 3.
| Villain | Actor | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Joshua | Gary Busey | Lethal Weapon 2 |
| Russell | Joe Pesci | Lethal Weapon 3 |
Trivia and Fun Facts
• The iconic " Riggs and Murtaugh" catchphrase was improvised by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover during filming of the first movie.
• Lethal Weapon 4 was originally intended to be the final film in the franchise, but the success of the film led to another sequel being planned.
• The television series reboot of Lethal Weapon was met with mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its nostalgic value and action-packed sequences.
Conclusion
The Lethal Weapon franchise has been a staple of action-comedy films for decades, with a talented cast of actors bringing the iconic characters to life. From the original duo of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover to the reboot series starring Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans, the franchise has seen many memorable performances. Whether you’re a fan of the original films or the television series, Lethal Weapon is a franchise that is sure to provide endless entertainment.
