Lethal Weapon’s Future in Jeopardy: Damon Wayans’ Departure Rocks Cast and Crew Amidst Cancellation Fears

The air on the set of Fox’s acclaimed action-comedy series, Lethal Weapon, is thick with apprehension and uncertainty following the bombshell announcement from star Damon Wayans, who portrays the iconic Roger Murtaugh. Wayans, 58, revealed his intention to depart the show after completing just 13 episodes of its third season. While the announcement quickly spawned a flurry of fan jokes referencing Danny Glover’s classic line, “I’m getting too old for this sh*t,” the mood among the show’s dedicated cast and crew is anything but humorous. According to an exclusive source close to the production, the team is “shocked, sad, mad, and pissed” by Wayans’ decision, fearing the drastic and potentially devastating impact it will have on their employment and the future of the beloved series.

This sudden development has plunged the entire production into a state of panic. With the lead actor’s potential exit looming, an insider reveals that “no one has any clue if they will replace him or if the show will get cancelled.” This lack of clarity is particularly distressing for the numerous individuals behind the scenes—from camera operators and lighting technicians to costume designers, makeup artists, and production assistants—who rely on their jobs on Lethal Weapon to support themselves and their families. The prospect of having to “start looking for new employment soon,” the source explained, is a deeply unsettling and “never a fun experience” for anyone in the volatile entertainment industry. Every member of the crew pours their dedication and hard work into making the show a success, so to have one of the main actors “call it quits,” especially “out of nowhere and after the drama with Clayne Crawford,” feels like a profound betrayal and is “really upsetting.” Both Fox and Warner Bros. Television (WBTV), when contacted by Hollywood Life, declined to comment on the unfolding situation, further intensifying the sense of unease.

The “drama” mentioned refers to the highly publicized firing of Clayne Crawford in May 2018. Crawford, who played Martin Riggs—the role originally made famous by Mel Gibson in the cinematic franchise—was dismissed following numerous allegations of inappropriate on-set behavior and creating a hostile work environment. His departure sent shockwaves through the industry and posed a significant challenge for the showrunners. Rather than cancel the series, Fox opted to bring in Seann William Scott, 42, to fill the void. Scott joined the cast as Wesley Cole, a new character designed to be Damon Wayans’ new co-star and partner, effectively revamping the central dynamic of the show. This pivot required immense effort from writers, producers, and the remaining cast to seamlessly integrate a new lead and maintain audience engagement. Remarkably, the retooled series managed to garner “some solid ratings,” as reported by Deadline, indicating that the creative gamble had paid off and the show had found a new rhythm. Therefore, Wayans’ announcement—reportedly made for health and family reasons—represents a “huge punch in the gut” for FOX from a business standpoint, potentially undermining all the hard work invested in saving the series after its initial crisis. More critically, it throws the livelihoods of hundreds of cast and crew members into immediate and serious jeopardy.

Damon Wayans is reportedly under contract for six seasons, meaning his departure is not a simple matter of walking away. The network and studio could potentially demand that he honor his contractual obligation, leading to a complex legal battle. Alternatively, they might choose to replace him, though finding a suitable actor to step into the shoes of Roger Murtaugh—an iconic character with a deeply established persona—would be an immense challenge, potentially requiring another drastic narrative overhaul. The question of whether a third leading actor change would be palatable to audiences remains uncertain. Either scenario, demanding he stay or replacing him, carries significant risks and creative hurdles for the production. The future of Lethal Weapon is now precariously “up in the air,” hanging by a thread as internal discussions and negotiations undoubtedly take place behind closed doors. The uncertainty extends beyond just the lead role; it affects every single plotline, character arc, and production schedule planned for upcoming episodes and potential future seasons.

The pervasive feeling among those involved in the production is one of deep “uneasiness and unknown.” Everyone is desperately hoping for a swift resolution and clarity, but the path forward remains shrouded in doubt. “One thing is for sure there is going to be a lot of weird days ahead on set since no one has any clue what is next,” the source elaborated. This uncertainty creates a palpable tension that affects daily work life, personal planning, and mental well-being. For many, this job represents their primary source of income and creative fulfillment, and the sudden threat of its cessation is profoundly unsettling. The cast and crew are caught in a difficult “dilemma,” grappling with the reality that an actor’s personal decision, while understandable from his perspective, could inadvertently lead to widespread unemployment for their colleagues. This predicament highlights the often-unseen human cost behind the glamorous facade of Hollywood, where the professional choices of a few can profoundly impact the lives of many.

The entertainment industry is notoriously volatile, but two such seismic shifts in leadership for the same series within a relatively short period is almost unprecedented. After successfully navigating the departure of Clayne Crawford and investing heavily in Seann William Scott as the new co-lead, the show had finally found a stable footing and was delivering consistent performance for the network. Wayans’ decision, irrespective of his personal reasons, effectively pulls the rug out from under this hard-won stability. It forces the studio and network to confront the grim possibilities: either find yet another path to sustain a series that has now lost two key components, or cut their losses and face the difficult decision of cancellation. For the hundreds of dedicated professionals who have poured their hearts and souls into Lethal Weapon, this isn’t just a story about a TV show; it’s a very real threat to their livelihoods and a distressing reminder of the fragile nature of employment in the fast-paced world of television production. The coming weeks will be critical as Fox and WBTV weigh their options, while the cast and crew anxiously await news that will determine their professional and financial futures.

The impact of this news ripples far beyond the immediate production team. Ancillary businesses that support the show—catering services, equipment rental companies, local businesses near the studio, and even talent agencies—all stand to lose significant revenue if the series is ultimately cancelled. This domino effect underscores how a single television production can sustain an entire ecosystem of jobs and services. The show’s fanbase, having weathered the initial change of Riggs, now faces the potential loss of Murtaugh, or even the entire series. Their loyalty and viewing figures are vital to the show’s continued existence, yet their power in this current crisis is limited. The prevailing sentiment among those connected to the show is a desperate hope for a resolution that preserves the jobs and the creative momentum. As the days tick by, the tension on set is palpable, and every email or phone call from production becomes a source of heightened anxiety. The fate of Lethal Weapon, a show built on the premise of a turbulent partnership, now mirrors that turbulence in its real-world production, leaving everyone to wonder if this beloved series can survive yet another seemingly insurmountable challenge.