Lethal Weapon: Fox Reboots the ’80s Buddy-Cop Franchise
As far as film-to-TV adaptations go, recent history includes the great (Fargo!) and the not-so-great (sorry, Rush Hour). But network execs aren’t stopping the remake train anytime soon, since familiar titles often bring built-in audiences. First up this fall: Fox’s Lethal Weapon. Based on the iconic 1987 action movie starring Danny Glover and Mel Gibson, the small-screen reboot takes its own spin on what happens when by-the-book detective Roger Murtaugh (now played by My Wife and Kids’ Damon Wayans) teams with loose-cannon cop Martin Riggs (Rectify’s Clayne Crawford). “There’s a tremendous difference between these two guys,” says executive producer Matt Miller (Forever, The 100) of the bickering partners. “But like with any good relationship, the chemistry comes exactly because they don’t have the same characteristics.”
And while that chemistry brings a humorous tone, “we’re playing it dead straight,” Crawford says. “And the seriousness of those moments is where the comedy comes in, because the situations themselves are so ludicrous.”
Also in this issue:
• Fall Sneak Peek: First looks at your favorite shows, including Criminal Minds, Empire, NCIS, Chicago Fire and more.
• Harley and the Davidsons: Discovery Channel revs up the story of how Harley-Davidson became America’s motorcycle giant in a new scripted miniseries.
• Emmys: Jimmy Kimmel previews his second gig hosting TV’s biggest night.
• The Case Of: JonBenét Ramsey: CBS’s re-opens the investigation into the unsolved 1996 murder of the 6-year-old beauty queen.
• Star Trek: Celebrating the sci-fi classic’s 50-year legacy of groundbreaking TV.
• NFL Preview: Peyton’s retired, Brady’s suspended and the Rams are back in L.A. Get ready for a season of change.
• Plus: The Rizzoli & Isles series finale, Queen Sugar, Masters of Sex, Blindspot, Z Nation, The View’s Sara Haines and the best of movies, streaming, sports and more.