What’s next for Lethal Weapon? Recently, executive producer Matt Miller spoke with TVInsider about the future of the FOX TV show without star Clayne Crawford.
As previously reported, Crawford was fired from the cop drama and has since been replaced by Seann William Scott for the show’s upcoming third season. The FOX series also stars Damon Wayans, Keesha Sharp, Kevin Rahm, Jordana Brewster, Johnathan Fernandez, Dante Brown, Chandler Kinney, and Michelle Mitchenor.
In the interview, Miller revealed the producers were prepared for Crawford’s exit from Lethal Weapon:
I obviously had been brought up to speed along the way and was very aware of the challenges that the show was facing. So when [Clayne’s dismissal] eventually did happen, we were prepared for it. Season 2 did end with Riggs being shot and we weren’t sure exactly how that was all going to play out, but creatively, we were prepared for every possible contingency plan. So we set ourselves up in a position where we could go with whatever direction the forces that be decided to go.”
Miller added that season three will try to close out Rigg’s (Crawford) storyline in a respectful way:
It’s about finding that balance between paying proper respect to the first two seasons of the show and also, at the same time, launching a new show that feels equally exciting and interesting and dramatic and funny and romantic and all the other things that we sort of had in that stew of Season 1 and 2. We’re going to close the Riggs chapter and start a new one in a way that feels properly respectful of Riggs and at the same time, exciting and an enthusiastic way to launch our new season.”
Later, the EP added that Seann William Scott’s character, Wesley Cole, will have no relation to Riggs:
There is no relation to Riggs. They don’t know each other and they’re totally different. The idea is that, in regards to the last name of Cole, there is a character brought into the third Lethal Weapon movie that they did named Lorna Cole, played by Rene Russo. We wanted to name this character Cole to stay within the canon of the Lethal universe but Lorna would’ve been an odd name for a guy. [Laughs] So his name is Wesley Cole and he did a lot of time overseas in a more covert CIA capacity. Circumstances happen abroad that are very tragic for him and end up sending him back to Los Angeles for reasons that we’ll come to learn in that first episode. He does have an estranged family that lives in L.A. and he gets a job working for the LAPD. In the first episode, we see Cole and Murtaugh intersect first as adversaries, working the same kind of case, and ultimately they end up teaming up throughout the course of that episode.”
What do you think? Do you watch Lethal Weapon? Will you watch season three?
I am so disappointed at the behavior of Damon Wayons. For him to wait until they renewed Lethal Weapon for Season 3, then unleash this s**t storm of crap about Clayne Crawford, its so unprofessional and uncalled for. He got what he wanted which was getting Clayne off the show since he become much more popular then Wayons. I really feel bad for the rest of the outstanding cast and crew that will suffer because Damon Wayons was such a big cry baby. I hope Matt Miller really does give Riggs the respectful exit he deserves………..
where did FOX get the delusion that Damon Wayons was the star of the show?
Right? Probably because he was cast first and he got to meet with the actors auditioning to be Riggs. But his character was not the Lethal Weapon, Riggs was. It was that way in the movies and same with the series. And i think as the show developed, Claynes acting took center stage and he felt like second string. Which is exactly what happened, and he couldnt handle it.
I agree with both of you about Damon Wayons. He never was the star of the show. Without Clayne Crawford there will be no more Lethal Weapon for me. Without “Martin Riggs” there is no Lethal Weapon. As far as a respectful exit for Riggs, I hope they do give it to him….but I won’t be watching.
I WILL NOT be watching it without Clayne Crawford.
When Charlie Sheen was fired, the show died. That’s what is going to happen to this show.
No I won,t watch Lethal Weapon is Clayne is not in, Change the title then, if You change the players.
I’m done with the show. The star of the show, Riggs, was fired. He brought everything to the show.
I will be watching to see where it goes as I am a big fan of Sean Scott. I thought the chemistry between Murtagh and Riggs was very good which is why it was a shock to hear that they didn’t get on.
Clayne Crawford was Martin Riggs. Clayne Crawford was Lethal Weapon. The show WAS the best on TV. One of the biggest mistakes ever made was FOX firing Crawford. He imbued Riggs and the show with brilliance because of his unique embodiment of the character, his superb acting. Lethal Weapon starting Clayne should have continued on brightening our TV screens and our lives for innumerable seasons. I will watch and rewatch Seasons 1 and 2. I will never watch Season 3……..unless there was a miraculous resurrection of Clayne as Riggs! I wish him a brilliant future filled with characters enriched with… Read more »
When you viciously attack someone, there have to be consequences. I will try a few episodes and go from there.
Before u comment on something u need to check the facts. The only one that was attacked was Clayne with Damon’s rants on Twitter. Yes there were 2 incidents on set involved safety issues Clayne acted out on but apologized for. Damon wanted him gone because he was getting all the attention not baby Damon. No surprise that WB fired Clayne because Damon was treated like a Diva by them obviously he had friends at WB and what Damon wants he gets which also included the firing of at least 100 cast and crew who backed Clayne. Damon is nothing… Read more »
There were attacks by Clayne. He apologized and that is great. Other antics lead to his eventual firing. He made it known himself who he was beefing with and Damon had the right to respond. It’s fine that you did not like the response, but be real about the whole story. Don’t twist it to cast a bad light upon Damon. Clayne did some things not liked on set and he was let go. He apologized privately, then publicly upon his release.
4 episodes until cancellation. Diva “cry-baby” Wayans just put everyone out of a job
What I really think goes against all the rules of posting. What i will say is that i definitely won’t be watching this or any other Fox show this fall. I am sure my one viewership will not make a difference and that’s fine. I look forward to seeing Mr. Crawford on another show and any other network. Just as much as I look forward to never seeing a former favorite, Mr Wayans, in anything ever again.
What do I think? I think you made a BIG mistake. As much as I like Damon Wayans, without Clayne Crawford I don’t see the same dynamic. I see flat. There are plenty of actors in Hollywood that have done far worse & have skated with a slap on the hand. Fox just jumped on the scandal wagon. You hit the politics panic button. You didn’t CYA on this move. Too bad for you.
No, I will not be watching Season 3 because I think they made a mistake firing Clayne. He made the show, and it will NEVER be the same! Also, I think his cast mates were wrong by not sticking up for him. I will be switching to another station and another series for that time slot.
Dubious about this show now. The guy may have been a jerk–but it is not LETHAL WEAPON without Riggs–just another dumb cob show.
I won’t be watching without Crawford.
He was the reason I watched the other seasons.
I will not be watching Lethal Weapon next season without Crawford. He made the show.
I agree with you Amy….he was the show!