The Mel Gibson lethal weapon reboot, a television adaptation of the famous buddy cop film series, premiered on Fox in 2016 and initially attracted a strong audience. The show, which reimagined the iconic partnership between detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh with new actors Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans, started with a promising blend of action and chemistry. However, the series faced major disruption behind the scenes, leading to a steep ratings drop and eventual cancellation by the third season, largely due to intense on-set conflicts that culminated in the firing of Crawford.
Strong Debut Episode Showed Potential for the Reboot
The first season introduced viewers to the familiar dynamic between Riggs and Murtaugh. In the pilot, Murtaugh, cautious and family-oriented, is paired with the reckless Riggs, who appears to have a death wish. Their evolving partnership was highlighted by a memorable scene where, instead of carrying out a dangerous plan that would have ended Riggs’ character, Murtaugh shoots him in the foot to save his life and allow Riggs to fight back against a suspect. This blend of gritty action and sharp dialogue engaged viewers, as seen in lines from the episode—
“I can’t believe you shot me!”
shouted Riggs, to which Murtaugh replied,
“Hell, I can’t believe it took me so long.”
This debut attracted nearly 8 million viewers, signaling interest in how the classic material could be adapted for television. Damon Wayans’ portrayal maintained the protective and grounded nature of Roger Murtaugh originally played by Danny Glover, while Clayne Crawford captured the volatile spirit of Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs. Despite this promising start, the series fell into decline as off-screen problems escalated.
Behind-the-Scenes Feud Between Leads Fueled Production Troubles
From the outset, Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans struggled to work together amicably. Their off-screen relationship rapidly deteriorated into hostility, which disrupted filming schedules and forced script adjustments to keep the two apart. The tension culminated in a physical altercation following a stunt explosion accident in late Season 2 that injured Wayans, leaving the set divided and production delayed.
According to detailed reports, Crawford was blamed for two major incidents. On one occasion, while filming at a public pool, an expletive-laced outburst by Crawford was caught on tape after he lost patience with background noise he believed was interfering with a scene—unaware the noise was from children nearby. The second incident involved a stunt explosion gone wrong, where shrapnel struck Wayans, causing a head injury. The following day, an intense verbal confrontation between the two actors broke out on set, filled with profane exchanges and anger, which required production to pause for a day and for scenes involving both actors to be rewritten to avoid their interaction.
In response to criticism, Crawford publicly apologized in April 2018, stating:
I reacted with anger over working conditions that did not feel safe or conducive to good work under the leadership of a guest director and assistant director, who, in turn, were angry at my response.
He also accepted responsibility for the stunt accident but denied reckless behavior during its filming. Despite this statement, he was dismissed from the series the following month.
Public Fallout and Recasting Marked the Series’ Downward Spiral
Crawford’s firing forced a major storyline shift in the third season. His character, Martin Riggs, was killed off following a shooting incident, removing one half of the show‘s central partnership. His replacement came in the form of a new character, Wesley Cole, an ex-CIA operative played by Seann William Scott. The dramatic loss of Riggs’ character stripped the show of a core element key to its identity. The firing was widely covered by entertainment news and social media, generating divided opinions over the causes and responsibility of the turmoil.
Damon Wayans also aired his frustrations publicly, including a claim about a sticker found on set labeling Crawford as “an emotional terrorist,” though sources later denied the sticker’s existence. Wayans further alleged Crawford endangered other actors, though these claims were unverified. With animosity so pronounced, speculation grew about the show’s viability beyond its current season, though contractual and financial pressures kept it on air a little longer.
Damon Wayans’ Own Plans and Attitude Cast Doubt on Future Seasons
In interviews during Season 3, Damon Wayans revealed intentions to leave the series after the season ended, citing health concerns and a desire to prioritize family. This announcement foreshadowed additional recasting challenges had the show continued. Inside sources also described Wayans as openly unhappy on set, reluctant to embrace his role, which impacted the working environment negatively. A crew member remarked:
It is unbelievably difficult to work with someone who literally tells everyone that he hates what he does every day. And that is what Damon does every day.
Along with the on-screen leads’ conflicts, the show underwent significant behind-the-scenes shifts. Approximately a quarter of the regular on-set crew were dismissed before Season 3, many connected personally or professionally to Crawford, further destabilizing the production environment. Crawford later described the atmosphere as deeply unhappy, blaming Wayans for ongoing discord as well as acknowledging his own struggles with anger management.
The Fallout Undermined the Essence of the Buddy Cop Dynamic
The off-camera feud between the actors irreparably damaged the show‘s central premise of a strong and evolving partnership. Unlike their characters, the leading actors never built a cooperative relationship, affecting both the morale on set and audience engagement. The volatile working conditions became a bigger story than any case the detectives pursued on screen.
Ultimately, the reboot’s failure illustrates the challenges of reviving beloved franchises without stable behind-the-scenes dynamics. Despite attempts to salvage the series with recasting and rewrites, the damage from personal conflicts proved too great to overcome. Following the conclusion of Season 3, Lethal Weapon was canceled, and it is no longer available to stream.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Mel Gibson’s religion?
A. Gibson faced criticism because of his Traditionalist Catholic background. During a 2006 interview with Diane Sawyer, Gibson mentioned feeling that aggressive attacks on him, his family, and his faith due to “The Passion” violated his human rights.
