Mel Gibson confirms he'll direct Lethal Weapon 5

Mel Gibson has confirmed he will helm the fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie.

The 65-year-old actor has revealed the blockbuster buddy cop movie franchise's late helmer, Richard Donner, asked him to take over as director before he passed away in July aged 91.

It's already known that a new instalment is in the works and the 'Passion of the Christ' star and Danny Glover are expected to reprise their respective roles as LA detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh.

According to The Sun's Bizarre column, Mel said: “The man who directed all the 'Lethal films', Richard Donner, he was a big guy.

“He was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, ‘Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it.’ And I said: ‘Shut up.’

“But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn’t say anything.

“He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So I will be directing the fifth one.”

An insider said: “As well as stepping up to direct 'Lethal Weapon 5' Mel is going to be starring in it.

“Fans of Riggs will be pleased to see him back on screen – older but not necessarily wiser.

“It is hoped Danny Glover will come back to and reprise his role of Roger Murtaugh.”

Before his passing, Donner - whose cause of death was cardiopulmonary failure - had confirmed he would helm the last 'Lethal' movie.

He said in January: "This is the final one. It's both my privilege and duty to put it to bed. It's exciting, actually ... Hahaha! It's the last one, I'll promise you that."

The newspaper claims production will begin next year, which would mark 23 years since the last movie.