We’ve reported on speculation in the past about a fifth and final Lethal Weapon movie being made, one that would bring screenwriter Shane Black back to the franchise that he effectively created. But there were doubts as to whether Danny Glover and particularly Mel Gibson could be tempted to return to their most lucrative series of films for one more go, not least because Lethal Weapon 4 seemed to put quite a definite ending on things.

But that matters not in Hollywood, and it now appears that Lethal Weapon 5 is full steam ahead. In an interview at IGN, the actor Columbus Short has revealed that he’s in line to play Danny Glover’s son in the film, and that both of the main stars are back to return. No idea yet as to whether Rene Russo and Joe Pesci will be along for the ride again.

The storyline is said to follow the inevitable one final case, with this time Riggs on the verge of retirement. Murtaugh is pulled out of his now-quiet life, and lots of bullets follow, we’d be guessing.

The interesting choice here is behind the camera, though. Richard Donner directed the four previous films in the series, but he was last seen wielding the camera on 16 Blocks, with his output of late a lot less proficient than it once was (although Donner has hinted that this is down to him having one flop movie after a long run of financial success). In the meantime, Shane Black himself has helmed the wonderful Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and we suspect that it’s Black who’s in pole position.

Anyway, expect an announcement on this shortly, and in the meantime, the IGN piece is here.