What happened to Riggs on Lethal Weapon? Nasty Conflicts Made Fox Take a Huge Step

March 2024 · 4 minute read

Clayne Crawford played the iconic character of Martin Riggs in the “Lethal Weapon” TV series.

Riggs has been one of the most praised characters on “Lethal Weapon,” and his sudden absence has made the audience wonder what happened to Riggs on “Lethal Weapon.” Getting into the article will clear up all the queries.

A Legendary Franchise: “Lethal Weapon”

“Lethal Weapon” originated as a screenplay by Shane Black, featuring two mismatched cops forced to collaborate to solve a mystery.

The iconic duo of Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh brought the script to life in the 1987 action movie.

The film’s success was attributed to the chemistry between the leads, the sharp script, and the thrilling action sequences, making it a box office hit.

Resurrecting the Franchise

The “Lethal Weapon” franchise was resurrected as a television series in 2016. Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans were chosen to portray Riggs and Murtaugh.

While the TV adaptation received mixed reviews for not introducing much freshness to the concept, the compelling chemistry between Crawford and Wayans proved strong enough to attract a dedicated viewership.

Contrasting onscreen and offscreen dynamics

Ironically, the TV adaptation’s success was underpinned by the talent of Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans, despite revelations that the two actors had a strained relationship offscreen.

Their inability to get along eventually led to increased hostility during the production of “Lethal Weapon” season 2.

Incidents That Escalated the Conflict

The escalating conflict reached its peak when Damon Wayans was accidentally injured by shrapnel during an episode directed by Clayne Crawford.

This incident was followed by the release of audio recordings of a heated argument between the two actors on set. Subsequently, a video emerged showing an angry Crawford berating a crew member.

These incidents created a contentious environment on set and eventually prompted the network to make a crucial decision.

What happened to Riggs on Lethal Weapon?

Martin Riggs has departed from the “Lethal Weapon.” It was revealed that he had succumbed to the gunshot wound, effectively writing out the character from the series.

Due to the conflicts between Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans during a shoot of an episode directed by Crawford, Wayans was accidentally injured. In response to the mounting tensions and conflicts, Fox decided to fire Clayne Crawford.

This decision raised concerns about the show’s future since it would be challenging to continue “Lethal Weapon” without the character of Martin Riggs, a central figure in the series.

Introducing a New Partner for Murtaugh

The show’s creators faced the challenging task of reconfiguring the narrative without Riggs.

Their solution was to introduce a new partner for Murtaugh, Wesley Cole, played by Seann William Scott. This character was brought in as a replacement for Riggs in “Lethal Weapon” season 3.

Setting the Stage for Riggs’ Departure

The exit of Riggs was progressively gotten rolling in the season 2 finale.

The character faces a wild journey, conflicting with his criminal father, Nathan, who kidnaps Murtaugh’s better half, Trish. Riggs made a tough choice, liberating his half-brother Garrett in return for Trish.

However, the encounter ended terribly, with Riggs unintentionally killing his dad during the struggle.

Tragic Farewell

In the last scene of season 2, Riggs says goodbye to his significant other’s grave, as he had made arrangements to pass on California and move to Texas with his new love, Molly, and her son. However, in a shocking turn, his brother Garrett returned, shooting Riggs in the chest.

While the departure of Clayne Crawford was a significant catastrophe for the show, the creative team chose to address Riggs’ passing in the storyline respectfully.

Nonetheless, the fate of the series was additionally muddled when Damon Wayans expressed his expectations to leave the show, stirring up doubts about its continuation.

Clayne Crawford’s exit from “Lethal Weapon” denoted the end of his character, Martin Riggs. The purposes behind his firing originated from offscreen clashes with his co-star Damon Wayans, which reached a limit.

Regardless of the background strife, “Lethal Weapon” figured out how to carry closure to the Riggs character, all while leaving its own legacy in the world of television adaptations of classic films.

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