‘Lethal Weapon’ TV Series: Damon Wayans Sr. Isn’t Too Old For This… You Know
Undoubtedly, the new trend in network television is bringing back movies that have been around for years and retooling them as TV shows.LimitlessandMinority Reporthave already made the jump,Training Day,Rush HourandCruel Intentionsare on the way, and now one more is being thrown together at Fox.
The network has just ordered a TV pilot based on the classic action franchiseLethal Weaponstarring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, and they already haveDamon Wayans Sr.lined up to take the latter’s role as LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh. Find out more about theLethal WeaponTV series after the jump.
As of now, this is just a pilot order from Fox, so there’s a chance we may never get to see this series come to fruition if the network executives aren’t impressed with it.Varietyreports this new take onLethal Weaponwill follow a Texas cop and former Navy SEAL Martin Riggs (not yet cast) who suffers the loss of his wife and baby and moves to Los Angeles to start anew. There, he gets partnered with LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh (Wayans), who, having recently suffered a “minor” heart attack, must avoid any stress in his life.
That doesn’t sound remarkably dissimilar from the first movie, though it will presumably be a little less dark since since this will be a network TV show instead of an R-rated movie. Here’s the bad news though:Charlie’s AngelsdirectorMcGwill be at the helm of the pilot and also serve as executive producer on the series. The director is coming off executive producingShadowhunters: The Mortal InstrumentsandThe Mysteries of Laura, and he just ruins a lot of things that he touches. Hopefully whateverForevercreatorMatt Millerdoes with the script will help matters.
At the very least, the casting of Damon Wayans Sr. is something that intrigues me, even after he made adouchebag move with his comments about Bill Cosby’s rape victimslast year. Though he hasn’t done much of anything sinceMy Wife and Kidsended in 2005, he once saw action inThe Last Boy Scoutand even mixed it in with some comedy alongside Adam Sandler inBulletproof.This could be a nice comeback role for oleBlankman.
The question is, who should play Riggs? My first pick would beJosh Holloway, but he’s busy with the showColonynow, and it just got a second season order. MaybeCharlie Hunnamwould be good, but he’s concentrating on film roles at this point. What aboutMichael C. Hall? I’m just spitballing here, but maybe you have some suggestions for who should play Riggs. Let us know in the comments!
