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Mel Gibson isn’t exactly Hollywood’s golden boy these days. From drunken rants to questionable comments, he’s left his fair share of controversy behind, to say the least. It’s fair to say he hasn’t made it easy to root for him.

But his movies? A whole different story. Love him or loathe him off-screen, his work in cinema is impossible to ignore. From intense action flicks to heartfelt dramas, Gibson has delivered some of the most memorable performances in Hollywood history.

Mel Gibson in The Professor and the Madman (Credits: Vertical Entertainment)

He’s had his fair share of hits and cult classics, many of which still hold up decades later, and some even get better with time. Why? Because they’re filled with rich storytelling, killer acting, and that timeless magic that keeps you coming back.

So, if you’re ready to put aside the...

Charlotte Kirk is racking up the credits at a rapid pace. The actress, best known for her collaborations with Neil Marshall (Duchess, The Lair, The Reckoning, and the upcoming Compulsion), was working on the action thriller Myra back in October, took a role in the horror comedy CATnip earlier this year, and now she’s already in production on the Jack the Ripper spoof Jackie the Stripper. Fittingly, the filming of this one is taking place in London. Some behind-the-scenes images can be seen on the Jackie the Stripper Instagram page.

Deadline reports that Charlotte Kirk is joined in the cast of Jackie the Stripper by Jamie Lomas (Hollyoaks), Katie Price (Sharknado: Global Swarming), Chloe Meadows (Stigma), Kimberly Wyatt (13 Going on 30), James Phelps (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), Gary Webster (Family Affairs), Sophie Rankin (Ouija Castle), Perry Bensen (Sid and Nancy), Amber Doig Thorne (The Baby in the Basket), newcomer Martin Sherwood,...

Acclaimed actors Julian Glover (For Your Eyes Only, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back), Patsy Kensit (Lethal Weapon 2, Absolute Beginners), Mark Wingett (Quadrophenia, “Carver” from The Bill), Vicki Michelle (‘Allo ‘Allo, Bermondsey Tales), Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous, Comedian award winner) have joined “Borley Rectory: The Awakening” is a new feature film from Amplifier Films & Greenway Entertainment. Kaleidoscope Film Distribution are handling [...]

The post Julian Glover & Patsy Kensit Join New Production “Borley Rectory: The Awakening” first appeared on Horror Screams Video Vault - Supporting Independent Horror.

Presented by Neon’s The Monkey, Bloody Disgusting is celebrating this Friday’s release of Osgood Perkins’ highly anticipated horror with Stephen King Week. Yesterday, Luiz H. C. catalogues his cursed objects. and today, Rachel Reeves dusts off other adaptations from King’s Skeleton Crew.

For some, it was Michael J. Fox holding a copy of Skeleton Crew for his 1988 Read campaign poster that first inspired a read of the Stephen King short story collection. For others, the killer, record-breaking trailer for Neon’s new film The Monkey, written and directed by Osgood Perkins, instigated fingers to flip through pages. Whatever the inciting incident that introduced one to Skeleton Crew, the fact remains that it is a certified Constant Reader classic and a treasure trove of cinematic, eerie, and unsettling tales.

Since the initial release of Skeleton Crew in 1985, several stories have found their way to the screen, with varying degrees of success.

Many actors passed on iconic roles — whether due to scheduling, fear of typecasting, or not having enough confidence in the material. Years later, Mel Gibson reflected on turning down some big roles.

The actor starred in many iconic roles, including 1979's Mad Max, 1987's Lethal Weapon, and 1995's Braveheart. He has also stepped behind the camera as a director and directed the critically and commercially successful The Passion of the Christ, among other projects. However, at the 2025 Megacon Orlando, the actor addressed passing on James Bond and Gladiator roles, per People.

RelatedSylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson & Jon Voight Named Hollywood's 'Special Ambassadors' by Donald Trump

The U.S. president-elect has named three celebrity "special ambassadors" to help bring Hollywood "back" from its "very troubled" current state.

Decades ago, Gibson was up for the role of the 007 agent in the 1980s, as well as the leading character, Maximus, in 2000's Gladiator. Looking back,...

A former United States Army Special Operations soldier calls Mel Gibson's Lethal Weapon movie performance "very, very cringeworthy."

In an interview posted to YouTube by Insider, retired U.S. Army soldier Patrick McNamara breaks down and ranks various firearms scenes from different films, including a shooting range sequence from 1987's Lethal Weapon. Discussing Mel Gibson's handling of his weapon in the scene as LAPD Sergeant Martin Riggs, McNamara said, "Riggs' form is very, very cringeworthy. He’s slapping the heck out of the trigger. He’s going a million miles on that trigger, and he’s shutting his eyes at every shot, and his whole body is flinching with every single shot. It’s not rhythmic. There’s no metronome rhythm there. It’s just ripping rounds into the target. It’s a horrible pistol marksmanship scene."

Related Harrison Ford's Jack Ryan Movies Get New Streaming Home

Two of...

When Home Alone hit theaters in 1990, it became an instant holiday classic, but what’s less known is that it was almost made by Warner Bros.. They were initially interested in the film, but passed on it before it became the massive success we know today. Here’s a look at how Warner Bros. lost out on what would become one of the most profitable family comedies ever made.

John Hughes’s Script and Warner Bros.’s Initial Interest

In the late 1980s, John Hughes, known for his iconic films such as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, wrote the script for Home Alone. The story of a young boy, Kevin McCallister, who defends his house from burglars while his family is away, was conceived as a family-friendly comedy, a genre that Hughes was well-versed in. Hughes, with his established relationship with Warner Bros., decided to pitch the script to them first.

Stuck on a toilet that's been rigged to explode by a rogue faction of the apartheid South African government? You can spend the next two hours waiting for the bomb squad to arrive by watching the 1989 action classic Lethal Weapon 2 - and it won't cost you a single krugerrand. Starting this month, it's streaming for free on Vizio WatchFree+. The streaming service is available for free to anyone using a Vizio device.

It's been a long road, getting from there to here. 

Jon Turteltaub's 2018 shark thriller "The Meg" was based on Steve Alten's novel "Meg" that was published way back in 1997. The book was optioned for a film adaptation by Hollywood Pictures, a Disney subsidiary, the year prior, and several screenplay drafts were immediately written. Jeffrey Boam was said to have written an adaptation of "Meg," but Disney didn't like it. Indeed, none of those screenplays were deemed good enough to develop into an actual feature, and three years passed without any movement on the project. In 1999, the rights reverted to Alten. 

Then, in 2005, the book was optioned again, this time by New Line Cinema. The new version of "Meg" was going to be an impressive affair, with Shane Salerno as its screenwriter, and Jan de Bont as director. A 2008 report in the Los Angeles Times even noted that "Meg...

Lethal Weapon 5 has been talked about for years. However, franchise star Mel Gibson is determined to get the movie off the ground.

Gibson is currently working on a sequel to Passion of the Christ and the Lethal Weapon follow-up. Since he doesn't own the rights to the action franchise, the actor is unsure which film will get the go-ahead first. "I don't know, and that's the funny thing," Gibson told ComicBook. "I mean, there's various obstacles to getting any film up on its feet, and not just budgetary, but there's like, there's 1,000,001 reason why something goes and why it doesn't. So it's really kind of a cr*pshoot at this point what goes first and which came first, whether it's the chicken or the egg."

Related Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Director Reveals Lethal Weapon Influence

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire director Adam Wingard says the upcoming...

1987's Lethal Weapon was more than just another buddy action picture of the time. Within the dark intensity of its violence and cynical humor, novice screenwriter Shane Black found an emotional core to the partnership between a cop with a death wish opposite a family-oriented veteran detective looking to retire. Once Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner came on board, he cast Mad Max's Mel Gibson with one of The Color Purples breakout actors, Danny Glover, to bring Black's characters to life. Together, magic was made on the silver screen and audiences were captivated by the duo. In approaching Lethal Weapon 2, however, a shift in creative direction changed the course of the franchise for the worse.

Dean Norris joins Ghosts season 4 as a guest star, adding comedic and dramatic weight to the story. Norris is an underrated comedic actor known for serious roles, with past comedic moments that highlight his talent. Norris playing Samantha's father in Ghosts will create a one-of-a-kind comedy, especially with potential interactions with the quirky ghosts.

The casting news about Dean Norris joining Ghosts revealed at San Diego Comic-Con underscores the actor's hidden talent for comedy. The panel, which Screen Rant attended, revealed that Norris will be joining the Ghosts season 4 cast as a guest star, playing Samantha's father. Norris' character will be a gruff and no-nonsense person with a rich backstory, making him similar to the roles the actor is best known for playing.

Norris is primarily known for his dramatic roles in Breaking Bad and Law & Order: Organized Crime as well as in movies such as Lethal Weapon 2,...

Former Sun Yee On triad member Jimmy Tsui criticizes Lethal Weapon 4's unrealistic portrayal of one of the mafia characters. Lethal Weapon 4 is the lowest-rated film in the franchise, with a 52% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a lower box office performance than Lethal Weapon 3. Lethal Weapon 5 is in development with Mel Gibson taking over as director following Richard Donner's death.

A former mafia member breaks down a key fight in Mel Gibson's Lethal Weapon 4. Released in 1998, Lethal Weapon 4 is the fourth film in the action franchise that began with Lethal Weapon in 1987. The fourth installment features the return of LAPD officer Martin Riggs as he confronts Chinese mobsters this time. In addition to Gibson, Lethal Weapon 4 features a leading cast including Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li, Steve Kahan, Kim Chan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, and Eddy Ko.

Lethal Weapon 5 may actually happen and hopefully, its Rotten Tomatoes rating will be better than the third and fourth entries. The chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson carried even the weakest sequels. Lethal Weapon 5 can finish the franchise on a stronger note than the lackluster fourth entry.

It looks like Lethal Weapon 5 might finally happen, and I really hope its Rotten Tomatoes trend improves on the last couple of entries. The original Lethal Weapon movie wasn't the first buddy cop film by any stretch, but it's come to be seen as the defining example. This Richard Donner movie had great action and a witty script by Shane Black, but it was the chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson that truly made it sing. This is what got me through some of the weaker outings too.

Lethal Weapon evolved from the grittiness of the original to...

David Schmoeller's 1989 film "Puppet Master" was almost going to be a theatrical release in the summer of 1989, but pivoted to the VHS market at the last minute. Looking at the 1989 supper movie season, one can see why producer Charles Band made the decision. "Puppet Master" would have opened against "Batman," "Ghostbusters II," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Back to the Future Part II," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," "License to Kill," and "Lethal Weapon 2." There were just too many blockbusters it would've had to compete with.

Its movement to the straight-to-video market might have reduced its prestige, but "Puppet Master" spawned many, many sequels (not to mention a few crossovers) that persist to this day (the most recent "Puppet Master" film was released in 2022). The killer puppets in the film have become minor horror icons and often serve as the face of Full Moon Features, a...

Detective Murtaugh sees a mysterious man pull out a weapon in the middle of a police station. He heroically jumps into action to protect, serve, and tackle. But it turns out it is just good ol’ Mel Gibson, who overpowers and flips this 50-year-old character, played by a 40-year-old actor, Danny Glover. Humiliated and hurt, Danny Glover spits out an iconic line that has come to define his career and become a meme, “I’m too old for this shit.” Danny Glover was too old for this shit three decades ago… but he has kept on grinding, making motion pictures ever since. But maybe Danny Glover is too old for this shit… if that “shit” is good movies. Oh, I kid! I kid!

Glover may not have any Oscars, but he did get a late start in his movie career, having broken out in his 40s. So, what has Danny Glover,...

After a stellar 1989, the Hollywood box office of 1990 was expected to be even better – but the film industry got taught some tough lessons.

Browsing the worldwide box office charts for 1989, and many a major studio executive would have been stroking their chin with some degree of comfort. The same old was working. The new things were working. Everything was getting better. The Christmas party was clearly going to be on the impressive side.

What 1989 had proven, after all, was the growing feeling that big stuff worked too. Tim Burton’s Batman had firmly introduced the idea of the huge opening weekend at the box office, and that a movie could become a cultural phenomenon. That patrons would leave the cinema and promptly seek out the soundtrack, the computer game, the book, the T-shirt, the novelty undercrackers.

But it wasn’t just Batman. 1989 proved to Hollywood that, for the most part,...

Turning into a cultural phenomenon following its release in 1990, the Home Alone franchise thereafter became the universal theme for the holiday season. Further, appearing in memes and other forms of media, the franchise became a huge box-office success. And certainly, the credit goes to its iconic cast, including Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern.

Joe Pesci, Macaulay Culkin, and Daniel Stern in Home Alone (1990) | 20th Century Fox

However, despite demonstrating its enduring popularity through generations and making staggering profits during every year’s holiday season, Daniel Stern revealed a dark reality about the films. Recalling how he was stripped of his deserving salary, despite his co-stars getting eye-watering amounts, Stern mentioned how he had to fight with producers for his demands.

Home Alone 2 Producers Initially Low-Balled Daniel Stern

In a surprising revelation, Daniel Stern, the actor who played Marv Murchins in the iconic Home Alone franchise, disclosed in his...

Matt Sweeney, a pioneering special effects artist who was Oscar-nominated for his work on Ron Howard’s 1995 space epic Apollo 13, died February 19 of lung cancer at Burbank’s Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. He was 75.

His death was announced by the Alliance of Special Effects & Pyrotechnic Operators board of directors. Sweeney was a founder and past president of the trade organization.

“A special effects guru, industry legend, Asepo founding member and past president, recipient of three technical achievement awards, and Oscar nominee, Matt is well recognized for his generous spirit and deep love of his craft,” the board said in a statement posted on social media. “He etched his marks on this crazy business in so many ways that will persist long after all of us are gone. He never quit, even after his retirement.”

Sweeney, whose roster of special effects credits stretches back to such 1980s hits as 9 to 5, The Goonies,...

Writer Shane Black pretty much invented the "buddy cop" movie with "Lethal Weapon," his gloriously violent Christmas-set action pic that introduced moviegoers to LAPD Detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The basic set-up of the franchise, which was helmed entirely by Richard Donner: Murtaugh plays things by the book and is close to retirement (he somehow remains "close to retirement" through a series of four films). Riggs, in sharp contrast, is a trigger-happy psycho, suicidal in the wake of the death of his wife. These two mismatched cops become partners and, of course, friends. Also, they kill a lot of people. While this is one franchise that should probably finally retire (just like Murtaugh), there's a fifth film in the works. 

But we're not here to talk about that. Instead, let's go back to the days when Mel Gibson sported a mullet and wasn't problematic!

Some famous movies originally had plot twists that would have ruined the story. Horror movies considered ending with the main character's unnecessary death, but decided to let them survive. Plot twists should make sense for the bigger story, not just be included for the sake of surprise.

Several of cinema's most famous movies originally included plot twists that would have destroyed the story. They were too convoluted, too cloying, or distracted from the rest of an otherwise great movie. If anything can be learned from Game of Thrones' final season, it's that plot twists shouldn't be included just for the sake of surprising the audience – they need to make sense for the bigger story.

Some horror movies originally ended with the twist of the main character unnecessarily dying. Directors thankfully decided to let them survive, bringing some levity to movies that already manage to convey a dark tone. Other canceled...

Killer cyborgs, A-list megastars, groundbreaking visual effects And a kick-ass soundtrack! It can mean only one thing. Yes, that’s right, good friends of JoBlo, uber director James Cameron is back to show us exactly how to follow up one of the biggest smash hits of your career with a sequel that had to surpass the expectations of even the most hardcore fan of the original movie, and also show the world how to revolutionize modern VFX…Again. Cameron had already wowed audiences with The Terminator back in 1984 and had proven that he could create impressive sequels to existing sci-fi franchises with the action-heavy Aliens in 1986. He’d also made great strides with visual effects in 1989’s The Abyss so could his original vision of having a liquid terminator in the franchise really work?

That’s right, sci-fi fans, we’re giving one of the greatest sequels ever made a...

Movie franchises can experience massive box office jumps for their second release, signaling potential for long-term success. Franchises like Lethal Weapon, Pitch Perfect, and Austin Powers saw significant increases in box office gross for their second films. Sequels like Twilight: New Moon, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Shrek 2 achieved remarkable success and became part of highly profitable franchises.

After having already won audiences over with the first film in a series, movie franchises can have massive jumps at the box office for their second release. With viewers already aware of the characters and what to expect out of a series, they are much more likely to turn up at the theater for a movie whose premise they are sure they will enjoy. With this in mind, some franchises have had absolutely astounding success the second time around and made double, triple, or in some instances almost five times their...

Veteran British actor known for his many and varied film, TV and stage roles in a career that spanned more than 70 years

There was something grand, large, embracing about the actor Joss Ackland, who has died aged 95. He was a fixture in British films for several decades and a stalwart of the Old Vic, the Royal Shakespeare Company – he played Falstaff in the opening RSC production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, in the new Barbican Centre in 1982 – and the West End stage.

He appeared in more than 100 films, and countless TV plays and series, usually, in later years, white-haired and bearded, but always with energy and force, whether as the cuckolded husband, Jock Delves Broughton, in Michael Radford’s White Mischief (1987) with Greta Scacchi and Charles Dance, or as the drug-running heavy in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.

Veteran British actor Joss Ackland, best known for his roles in the films Lethal Weapon 2 and White Mischief, has died. He was 95. Ackland passed on Sunday, November 19, with his representative, Paul Pearson, confirming the death. “Joss was a long-term client and great friend who remained lucid, erudite and mischievous to the very end. He died peacefully with his family this morning,” Pearson said in a statement. Born on February 29, 1928, in London, England, Ackland trained at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama before making his professional stage debut at 17 years old, starring in the 1945 production of The Hasty Heart. He became a regular at the Old Vic Theatre, appearing alongside the likes of Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and Tom Courtenay. Ackland starred in several British television shows throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, including opposite Alec Guinness in the 1979 adaptation of Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy. He also appeared...

Joss Ackland, a veteran character actor known for his work on stage as well as screens big and small, has died. Ackland was 95 and familiar to film fans for the likes of Lethal Weapon 2, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, The Hunt For Red October. "It is with great sadness that I can confirm the passing of my great friend and long-term client Joss Ackland," :a[the actor's manager Paul Pearson told The Wrap]{href='https://www.thewrap.com/joss-ackland-lethal-weapon-2-actor-dies-at-95/' }. "He died of old age this morning with his family around. He was lucid, erudite, and mischievous to the end. I loved him deeply and for me, he is the reason we have the word magnificent in the dictionary."

Ackland was born in Ladbroke Grove, London on 29 February 1928. He studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama and made his stage debut at the age of 17 in a production of The Hasty Heart.

Joss Ackland, the British actor known for Lethal Weapon 2, Mighty Ducks and White Mischief, has died. He was 95.

Ackland died peacefully of old age, surrounded by his family Sunday morning, his longtime rep and friend Paul Pearson told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was lucid, erudite and mischievous to the end,” the rep added. “I loved him deeply, and, for me, he is the reason we have the word Magnificent in the dictionary.”

The actor was described as a “beloved father,” in a family statement obtained by BBC. It read, “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role. He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”

In addition to his film roles in Lethal Weapon 2, Mighty Ducks and White Mischief, Ackland was known for parts in The Hunt for Red October, Daisies in December...

British actor Joss Ackland, who had more than 130 acting credits to his name, has passed away.

Per Deadline, Ackland's death was announced by his family on Sunday, but no details about a cause or location were given. In a statement, the family said, "With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role. He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.” Ackland was 95 years old.

Ackland was born in London in 1928, and he was performing as an actor on stage as a teenager. From there, he would start to pick up roles in movies and TV shows in the 1950s and beyond. Among his many memorable roles is the character Hans, a mentor to Emilio Estevez in the hit 1992 Disney movie The Mighty Ducks. The actor would reprise his role for the 1996 sequel, D3: The Mighty Ducks.

Joss Ackland, a familiar face to eighties and nineties movie fans, is dead at 95. According to Variety, the actor died of natural causes. Famous for playing the loathsome South African villain in Lethal Weapon 2, Ackland had a long and distinguished career in film, TV and on-stage. Arguably, his most memorable screen moment came at the climax of Lethal Weapon 2 when, after pumping Mel Gibson’s Riggs full of bullets, he taunts Danny Glover’s Murtagh by boasting “diplomatic immunity,” to which Murtagh, in a crowd-pleasing moment, cocks his head and blows the bad guy away.

Ackland also made for a memorable bad guy in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, where he played the villain, De Nomolos. He was also in The Hunt for Red October, K-19: The Widowmaker, and played Emilio Esteves’s kindly former coach in The Mighty Ducks. He also famously appeared in the Pet Shop...

British actor Joss Ackland, known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence, has passed away at the age of 95. He will be remembered as one of Britain's most talented and beloved actors. Ackland's remarkable career spanned several decades, during which he showcased his versatility in films, television, and stage. He received a Cbe in 2001 for his contributions to the entertainment industry. Tributes from colleagues and fans poured in, honoring Ackland's memorable performances and the impact he had on the acting community. He will be deeply missed, leaving behind a legacy that spans generations.

When it comes to actors with an ability to command a scene, British actor Joss Ackland was one of the best. It was sadly announced today that the Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, White Mischief and The Mighty Ducks actor has passed away at the age of 95. The family statement (per BBC) revealed that the actor...

British actor Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95, his family said in a statement. No cause or location were given.

The stage and screen actor had been in more than 100 movies and TV series, among them the films White Mischief and 1989’s Lethal Weapon 2.

The family statement said: “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role. He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”

Born in 1928 in London’s Ladbroke Grove area, Ackland grew up in Kilburn, North London.

He appeared in dozens of films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including The Mighty Ducks and Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey.

He was awarded a Cbe in 2000 for his services to acting.

No information on survivors or memorial plans was immediately available.

Joss Ackland, a longtime stage and screen actor best known for his roles in “Lethal Weapon 2” and “White Mischief,” has died at age 95.

Ackland, who amassed more than 130 credits, also enjoyed parts in films such as “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” “The Hunt for Red October” and the TV movie “Shadowlands.” His death was confirmed in a statement by his family. They said, “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his roles.”

“He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”

Ackland’s manager Paul Pearson told TheWrap, “It is with great sadness that I can confirm the passing of my great friend and long-term client Joss Ackland. He died of old age this morning with his family around. He was lucid, erudite, and mischievous to the end.”

“I loved him deeply and for me, he...

Joss Ackland, the veteran British stage and screen actor who was known for starring in “White Mischief” and “Lethal Weapon 2,” died on Sunday. He was 95.

“Joss was a long term client and great friend who remained lucid, erudite and mischievous to the very end, he died peacefully with his family this morning,” said his rep, Paul Pearson.

In Richard Donner’s “Lethal Weapon 2,” his villainous diplomat character notably utters the line “Diplomatic immunity!” before being shot by cop Roger Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover.

With over 130 film and television credits, Ackland appeared in a wide range of projects, including “K-19: The Widowmaker,” “Bill & Ted” and “The Hunt for Red October,” where he starred alongside Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. His television work includes “Shadowlands,” where he played C.S. Lewis, and “Midsomer Murders.”

Ackland was made a Cbe for services to drama in 2001. He earned two BAFTA nominations...

Initially, Joe Pesci’s character, Leo Getz, was only meant to be in Lethal Weapon 2. But Getz became a fan favorite and was invited back not only for Lethal Weapon 3, but also Lethal Weapon 4. At the time of Lethal Weapon 2’s release, Pesci spoke to us about how he brought the character to life. (Click on the media bar below to hear Joe Pesci) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Joe-Pesci_Lethjal_Weapon_2_.mp3

The Lethal Weapon films are available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.

The post How Joe Pesci Got To ‘Lethal Weapon’s’ Getz appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

Watching it in 2023, one might find themselves a little baffled as to why Martin Brest's 1984 crime comedy "Beverly Hills Cop" was such a massive success. Made for a modest $13 million, "Beverly Hills Cop" caused a sensation, earning over $234 million domestically which is, when adjusted for inflation, closer to $700 million. It made Eddie Murphy a household name and more or less codified an emerging genre of R-rated buddy cop movies that would remain ascendant throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. The success of "Beverly Hills Cop" might confuse people, however, as it seems wildly basic these days. The jokes are not particularly funny, and while Murphy is as charismatic as they come, his Snobs vs. Slobs shtick seems trite and tired.

It seems that "Beverly Hills Cop," however, was merely outstripped by its imitators. In the wave of imitators that spawned, filmmakers pushed the action and the humor to higher and higher degrees,...

If you’re a fan of Mel Gibson’s classic action flicks, be sure to stream them before they leave Max at the end of August.

All four “Lethal Weapon” movies and “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” starring the late, great Tina Turner, will be leaving the streaming service. Luckily, you’ll have all month to watch them.

Watching the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” animated movie in theaters? Max has several films featuring the radical reptilians: the live-action “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze” (1991)

and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” (1993), as well as the animated “Tmnt” (2007).

Kaiju fans will want to check out “Godzilla” (2014), “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (2019), “King Kong” (1933) and “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” (2012).

Finally, if horror is your thing, six “Hellraiser” films and “The Ring Two” make great summer scares.

Here’s everything leaving Max in August 2023

August 5

Hard Knocks:...

It’s often claimed that good things come in threes, but try telling that to anyone who sat through the Big Momma’s House trilogy. Film sequels, in essence, are nothing new in Hollywood—the very first sequel came back in 1916 with the silent film The Fall of a Nation, Thomas Dixon Jr.‘s follow-up to D. W. Griffith’s jaw-droppingly racist epic, Birth of a Nation.

However, the concept only became commonplace in the 1970s when a string of follow-ups to successful dramas made waves at the box office. The Godfather, Part II, Rocky II, and The French Connection II were among the first movies that helped usher in this new era of filmmaking. Today though, moviedom has expanded beyond even the sequel and into new territory where the word “franchise” is king. Buoyed in recent times by the dominance of comic book movies and an increasing appetite for nostalgia,...

Summer is heating up on Max.

Back in May, Max added programming from TLC, HGTV and Food Network. That means Discovery’s popular Shark Week will be available to stream when it kicks off on July 23, with programming to be announced soon.

For fans of unscripted series, Season 3 or “90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise: Pillow Talk” (July 4) and Season 5 of “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” (July 10) are both streaming, as well as the series premiere of “90 Day Fiancé: UK.”

Home renovation fans will want to catch Season 16 of “Barnwood Builders” (July 6) and the special “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge” (July 16), hosted by Ashley Graham, just in time for the feature film.

Also Read:

Here’s What’s New on Amazon Prime Video in July 2023

“Project Greenlight” (July 13) returns, with executive producer Issa Rae along with Kumail Nanjiani and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as mentors throughout the season.

Finally, the six-episode Max Original limited series “Full Circle,...

Max is following DC’s lead with its list of new releases for July 2023.

The two big ticket items this month are of the superhero variety. My Adventures with Superman arrives to Max on July 7 after making its Adult Swim premiere the night before. The end of the month sees Harley Quinn season 4 making its long-awaited debut on July 27. Other original TV titles of note are the Steven Soderbergh-directed Full Circle (July 13) and the third and final season of How To With John Wilson on July 28.

On the movie side of things, documentary Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia premieres on July 20. Before that on July 13 is both a fresh reboot of filmmaking competition Project Greenlight and the movie that came of it, Gray Matter. Library movies in July include Pulp Fiction, V for Vendetta, Lethal Weapon, and more on July 1.

Here is everything else coming to HBO and Max this month.

The original Max series “Full Circle” debuts on July 13. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the new drama investigates a kidnapping gone wrong in New York, revealing the secrets and lies of multiple characters. Or as the trailer warns: “Everything is connected.” The six-episode limited series stars Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes, Jim Gaffigan, Jharrel Jerome, Timothy Olyphant, and Dennis Quaid.

Watch the “Full Circle” trailer:

The four-part documentary “Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York” is set in the early 1990s as the AIDS crisis worsens. The media’s distorted coverage of the gay victims, coupled with the homophobic biases of the criminal justice system, undermine the investigation. The docuseries — which premieres on Max on July 9 — illustrates how the LGBTQ+ community fought to solve the murders and demand attention for those murdered.

Preview “Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York”:

Arriving on the platform on...

Timothy Olyphant, Claire Danes, and Dennis Quaid in ‘Full Circle’ (Photograph by Sarah Shatz)

Max’s July 2023 schedule includes the premiere of the drama Full Circle and the return of Shark Week. The hot summer month’s lineup also includes the final season of How To With John Wilson, the premiere of Project Greenlight, and the final episodes of the popular comedy The Righteous Gemstones.

The two-part documentary The Golden Boy about the life and career of Oscar De La Hoya joins the streaming service’s lineup on July 24th. Shaun White: The Last Run, a docuseries about the Olympian, is set to premiere on July 6th.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In July 2023:

July 1

300 (2006)

17 Again (2009)

20th Century Women (2016)

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

American Sniper (2014)

Angels Sing (2013)

Ballet 422 (2014)

Barbershop (2002)

Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)

Beauty Shop (2005)

Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

Brandi Carlile: In the...

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Lionsgate has officially noted that the four “John Wick” films have topped $1 billion at the global box office. Its new cume, $1.011 billion in all, comes from a combined production budget of just $245 million, for a 4.12 times rate of return just through theatrical revenue. It again shows the value of at least trying to create new or outright original IP amid a sea of revamps and revivals.

That total gross includes $87.8 million for “John Wick” in 2014, $171.5 million for “John Wick: Chapter 2” in 2017 (plus 97% from “John Wick”), $326.7 million for “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” in 2019 (plus 90%) and a running total of $425.3 million for “John Wick: Chapter 4” (plus 30%) which opened in late March of this year.

Commenting on the announcement, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Joe Drake said, “This milestone is...

Hang on for some truly nail-biting news: Sylvester Stallone will reprise his role as Gabe Walker in a reboot of his 1993 mount-climbing thriller “Cliffhanger.” He’ll also produce. Taking over for director Renny Harlin is Ric Roman Waugh (the upcoming “Kandahar”). Neal H. Moritz’s Original Film will produce with Rocket Science and Stallone and Braden Aftergood’s Balboa Productions, and sales will launch in Cannes this month.

Stallone starred in the original film as Walker, a ranger in the Colorado Rockies suffering from trauma following a fatal accident who soon gets embroiled in a scheme involving a sinister former Military Intelligence officer who is after some missing Treasury money. Since the money was lost in the mountains, the bad guys turn to Walker to try and find it.

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The Lethal Weapon franchise featured plenty of bloodshed, but the biggest body count in the series belongs to a surprising sequel. Like Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry franchise, the Lethal Weapon movies started seriously dark and gradually grew lighter with each new sequel. While the original Lethal Weapon saw Martin Riggs weep over the death of his wife with a loaded gun in his mouth, Lethal Weapon 4 saw him imitate an Asian accent in the franchise’s most cringe-worthy moment of attempted comedy. However, this didn’t necessarily impact the violence of the series.

While all of the movies in the franchise are bloody compared to Lethal Weapon’s TV adaptation, there is no denying that the violence depicted in Lethal Weapon 3 isn’t as brutal as the first movie’s killings. Lethal Weapon is a dark, gritty cop thriller, whereas the later sequels are much more broadly comedic in tone.

Content Warning: This article discusses anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia

While Lethal Weapon 5 killing off Martin Riggs might seem like the easiest way to salvage the series, things are not that simple for the belated sequel. According to series star Mel Gibson, the Lethal Weapon franchise is on its way back to the big screen after a multi-decade absence. Gibson claimed that he was taking over directorial duties on the sequel after the passing of the late, great Richard Donner, and the actor said that the much-delayed final chapter in the Lethal Weapon franchise would likely start filming in 2023. However, the series faces an uphill struggle.

For one thing, Gibson’s history of racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, and homophobic comments has turned many viewers off the actor’s work. For another, Gibson’s Dragged Across Concrete role proved that the actor wasn’t averse to playing characters that played off and glorified his public persona,...

Over 100 popular films are leaving HBO Max at the end of the month, but luckily you have the whole month to stream them.

They include cinema classics like “Ben Hur,” the winningest film in Oscars history

Leaving April 5

The Inside Story, 1948

Reminiscence, 2021 (HBO)

Leaving April 11

Adult Swim Yule Log (aka The Fireplace)

Leaving April 12

About Face: Supermodels Then and Now, 2012 (HBO)

Leaving April 13

The Last Duel, 2021

Game Theory With Bomani Jones, Season 1

Leaving April 18

The Lego Batman Movie, 2017

Leaving April 24

Tom and Jerry Cowboy Up!, 2022

Leaving April 27

Malignant, 2021 (HBO)

Leaving April 30

47 Ronin, 2013 (HBO)

3 Godfathers, 1948

Accepted, 2006 (HBO)

The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1938

A Private War, 2018 (HBO)

An American in Paris, 1951

The American President, 1995

Any Given Sunday, 1999

Australia, 2008 (HBO)

Before I Fall, 2017 (HBO)

Ben-Hur, 1959

Black Legion, 1937

Blade, 1998

Blood Diamond, 2006

Blow Out, 1981 (HBO)

The Bodyguard, 1992

Boogie Nights, 1997

The Book of Eli, 2010

The Bourne Identity, 2002 (HBO)

The Bourne Supremacy, 2004 (HBO)

Bringing up Baby,...

While Lethal Weapon 5 is only the latest in a long line of ‘80s franchise reboots, this does mean that the Lethal Weapon revival can learn a lot from its earlier mistakes. For Hollywood hit-makers, ‘80s nostalgia is seemingly the gift that keeps giving. The trend began as far back as 2013 when the ‘80s-set sitcom The Goldbergs cast its rose-colored view back on the era of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Netflix’s mega-hit Stranger Things soon followed, as did a never-ending stream of multiplex arrivals that rebooted, re-imagined, and revived dormant franchises from the decade.

If there were any doubt about the staying power of ‘80s nostalgia, Top Gun: Maverick's historic box office success proved that the trend was still alive and well in 2023. As such, it was not a surprise when, despite the Lethal Weapon TV show’s cancellation, Lethal Weapon 5 was announced. Initially set to be directed by the late,...

Content Warning: This article discusses anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia.

The controversial Dragged Across Concrete proves that Lethal Weapon 5 could struggle to overcome its star's public persona. Dragged Across Concrete has recently proven a hit on Netflix, but the slow-burn cop thriller was not such an unqualified success upon its original 2019 release. While Dragged Across Concrete’s deliberate pacing and nightmarish atmosphere won the movie its fair share of admirers, like director S. Craig Zahler’s earlier efforts Dragged Across Concrete was also heavily criticized for its reactionary, conservative story. A movie wherein the most heroic characters are cops who unapologetically indulge in police brutality, Dragged Across Concrete understandably met critical pushback upon release.

Dragged Across Concrete was extremely controversial both for its content and for Mel Gibson's starring role in the movie. Unlike even the darker original Lethal Weapon, which was pretty far removed from the reality of policing,...

Lethal Weapon 3 filmed an explosion of a real building that became one of the Lethal Weapon franchise's most memorable moments. Released in 1992, the third film in the Lethal Weapon movie series reunites Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs with Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh, as the LAPD sergeants uncover an arms smuggling ring run by a former police lieutenant. Lethal Weapon 3, although more comedic than its predecessors, still delivers high-stakes action sequences - thanks in part to a memorable scene that almost never happened.

Lethal Weapon 3 opens with Riggs and Murtaugh responding to a bomb threat at International Control Systems, Inc. Believing the threat to be a hoax, overzealous Lethal Weapon franchise hero Riggs decides to investigate himself before the bomb squad arrives. Murtaugh reluctantly follows, despite having only eight days until his retirement. To Riggs’ amusement, there is, in fact, a bomb in the parking garage. After...

Content Warning: This article discusses antisemitism, racism, sexism, domestic abuse, and homophobia.

The biggest problem for Lethal Weapon 5 is, unfortunately, its most famous actor. The first Lethal Weapon movie was the debut of screenwriter Shane Black, who would go on to write and direct films such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3. Starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a pair of mismatched cops investigating a murderous conspiracy linked to an illegal drug-smuggling ring, Lethal Weapon opened in March 1987 and became a massive hit, grossing over $120 million worldwide. This level of success meant that a sequel was inevitable. Lethal Weapon 2 was released two years later and made over $100 million more than the first movie, cementing the franchise's status.

Two more sequels followed in the 1990s, though they failed to match the successes of the first two Lethal Weapon films. The keys to the franchise's success were its comedic tone,...