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The Missed Opportunity: Bruce Willis and ‘Lethal Weapon’

Every major Hollywood star has a role that defines their career. For Bruce Willis, that role is undoubtedly John McClane from Die Hard. His portrayal of the wisecracking lawman not only transformed his career but also set the stage for action films in the years to come. However, before claiming his iconic status, Willis was offered a different action hero role that would shape another franchise: Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon. Turning this down opened the door for Mel Gibson, who ultimately took on the part. Despite a modest production budget of $15 million, Lethal Weapon grossed an impressive $120 million worldwide. Fortunately, Willis landed his blockbuster hit just a year later.

So why would an actor decline such a pivotal role? At the time, Bruce Willis was not in desperate need of a break. He had already made strides in Hollywood with his acclaimed comedy-drama series Moonlighting. His performance secured him two prestigious awards: an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. With the demand for comedy during that era, he felt secure enough to pass on Lethal Weapon for a rather compelling reason.

‘Lethal Weapon’ and the Buddy Cop Formula

With its signature banter and adrenaline-fueled action, Lethal Weapon is considered the quintessential buddy cop film. The story revolves around LAPD Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), who is contemplating retirement to spend quality time with his family. His plans shift dramatically when he is assigned to work with the erratic and suicidal Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a former Special Forces member traumatized by personal losses.

The contrast between Murtaugh’s stable family life and Riggs’s chaotic existence creates an intriguing dynamic. Initially, they find it challenging to work together; however, through their shared experiences on the job, a bond begins to form. Murtaugh’s commitment to mentor Riggs allows the two to grow into the best police duo in their department. The chemistry between the leads overshadows the contributions of other talented actors in the film.

Their most challenging case arises when they investigate the alleged suicide of Amanda Hunsaker, the daughter of Murtaugh’s friend from the Vietnam War. As they dive deeper, they unveil a network of crime orchestrated by a group of rogue ex-Special Forces operatives, known as “Shadow Company,” led by the menacing General Peter McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) and his vicious accomplice, Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey). How will the duo tackle such formidable foes?

Lethal Weapon skillfully merges character-driven storytelling with humor and high-stakes action. While Riggs’s emotional struggles lend the film depth, Murtaugh’s wisdom and steadiness act as a necessary balance. Its success spawned three sequels and even led to a reboot series on Fox, featuring Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans.

Bruce Willis’s Reservations About the Screenplay

When the script for Lethal Weapon reached Bruce Willis, he had significant reservations. Concerned about safeguarding his image as a wholesome, funny guy, he was apprehensive about the level of violence depicted in the screenplay. His girlfriend at the time also voiced her worries, feeling the content was excessively brutal. “I remember my girlfriend read it and said it was way too violent,” Willis recounted to Entertainment Weekly.

This reluctance to embrace violence would later be humorously satirized in the 1993 film Loaded Weapon, where Willis’s character humorously crawls from the wreckage of his home, donning an outfit reminiscent of McClane’s from Die Hard. His character amusingly exclaims, “What the hell are you doing?”—an implicit jab at his aversion to violence.

Interestingly, Bruce Willis has taken on much darker and more violent roles in his career, as seen in films like 12 Monkeys and Sin City. Speculation abounds that the “squeamish” girlfriend mentioned could have been Demi Moore, as they married the same year Lethal Weapon released. Surprisingly, she too has taken on more violent projects over time.

Willis was not the only actor to decline the role of Martin Riggs. Director Richard Donner had hoped to work with Christopher Reeve again, but scheduling conflicts thwarted that possibility. Michael Biehn was also considered, but commitments to Aliens prevented his involvement. A slew of other major actors, including Pierce Brosnan, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell, were in the mix but ultimately did not secure the role.

A Perfect Fit: Bruce Willis in ‘Lethal Weapon’

Despite its talky moments, Lethal Weapon may not accurately depict the day-to-day life of a police officer; instead, it immerses viewers in a fantastical world with vibrant characters. Although Willis expressed doubts about Riggs, he would have likely excelled in the role.

The character shares similarities with John McClane, suggesting Willis would have had little trouble delivering a strong performance. Furthermore, he has a track record for thriving in buddy films, as evidenced by his success in sequels like Die Hard with a Vengeance and Live Free or Die Hard.

Both McClane and Riggs are larger-than-life characters within their respective police departments, often bending the rules yet gaining viewers’ admiration in the process. Each grapples with personal turmoil related to lost love, and they display a trademark sense of humor in their dialogue.

Ultimately, it is likely that Lethal Weapon would have had a comparable impact on Willis’s career as Die Hard did. Today, both franchises remain culturally significant, each boasting five installments, including the television adaptation of Lethal Weapon.

In hindsight, Willis’s decision to pass on Lethal Weapon was fortuitous. He went on to create an unforgettable holiday action classic with Die Hard, while Mel Gibson’s portrayal of Riggs solidified his own place in cinematic history. Both actors owe a debt of gratitude to the paths their careers took.

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movieweb.com