Donner says Mel is Not Doing Lethal Weapon 5

It seems that Lethal Weapon 5 may be dead. This news comes way of the L.A. Times and an interview that they did with long time producer Richard Donner. Donner says that Mel Gibson has turned down the project and would have contacted Donner if he planned on doing it.

Donner told the Times, "Mel turned it down. I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn't involved. Knowing Mel, I would like to think that." Donner who produced all four other Weapon films, said he was never contacted and is a little pissed that the studio is moving forward without his stamp of approval. Donner continued, "Joel Silver tried to ace me out of it. He tried to put it together but made sure he didn't do it until my contract was up. You know, it's typical of the man. A guy who wasn't even around at the beginning when we started on the first one. He came in late."

So, it seems Richard Donner may hold the trump card on Lethal Weapon 5. Donner and Gibson are long time friends and have worked together in 7 films over the course of their careers. Joel Silver could very well move forward without Gibson and develop a story around Murtaugh's son. I highly doubt it, but we have seen worse ideas before, so I wouldn't count it out.

Thoughts on Donner's comments? Should Silver Pictures move forward without Gibson? Strikeback....