It looks as though Mel Gibson will have to choose between directing two upcoming blockbusters in 2024.
As you know, Jim Caviezel had mentioned that the ‘Passion of the Christ’ sequel was aiming to shoot in early 2024. This wasn’t set in stone as the film has been plagued by numerous delays — mostly having to do with rewrites and whether the film should be split into two or three parts.
Daniel Richtman is now reporting that Jez Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) wrote the most recent draft for “Lethal Weapon 5” and that the film is expected to shoot at some point in 2024. Gibson is directing and will reprise his role with Danny Glover also coming back.
There has long been talks of a fifth ‘Lethal Weapon’ film. Gibson confirmed in November 2021 that he was in talks to direct and star in the fifth film, saying that he would be making it to honor original director, the late Richard Donner, who wrote the screenplay and was originally set to direct prior to his death in July 2021.
Before Butterworth came in to refine Donner’s original idea, Richard Wenk (The Equalizer, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back) had drafted the screenplay.
Gibson had originally expressed confidence that the film would begin shooting in the first quarter of 2023, but that never materialized. So now it looks as though 2024 is being eyed. Warner Bros is set to produce.
Gibson, who has directed five films over a thirty-year timespan, including “Braveheart” and “Apocalypto,” already shot and completed his sixth film, “Flight Risk,” with Mark Wahlberg, this past September. That’ll probably be a 2024 release.