5 Actors Who Could Replace Damon Wayans on ‘Lethal Weapon’
On Wednesday, Damon Wayans announced he’s going to leave his Fox series Lethal Weapon at the end of the year.
In a candid video interview, the actor said he’s over the long days of filming and missing important family moments because of work.
“I am going to be quitting the show in December after we finish the initial 13 [episodes],” Wayans explained. “So I really don’t know what [the producers are] planning, but that’s what I’m planning.”
He also cited his age and being diabetic as having contributed to the decision to exit. Instead of this TV gig, Wayans said he wants to take some time off and eventually go back to the stage.
The announcement comes after the cop show aired its second Season 3 episode with new star Seann William Scott, who was brought on board to replace Clayne Crawford, who was fired from the show after complaints of bad behavior on set.
So, if the show does continue, who could replace Wayans? We suggest five actors:
Marlon Wayans
Why not replace one Wayans with another? The two are brothers, have similar acting and comedy styles, and Marlon’s even played a cop before — in 2004’s White Chicks.
Lamorne Morris
This funny guy not only has small-screen police experience on New Girl, but we also think he’d have great chemistry with Scott, who shares his physical comedy chops.
Taye Diggs
Diggs (Private Practice, Ally McBeal) has mastered roles balancing comedy and drama before, and we bet he’d be great at doing stunts.
Gabrielle Union
The actress’ show, Being Mary Jane, is coming to an end. And though her Bad Boys spinoff series, L.A.’s Finest, has been ordered to series, maybe she can juggle the two? Wishful thinking.
Regina King
She’s a three-time Emmy winner — and a nominee for her work as an on-screen cop on Southland. Enough said.
Lethal Weapon, Tuesdays, 9/8c, Fox
Conversation11 Comments
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C
First, once you\'ve replaced both leads in a show with only two leads, how can it even still be the same show? Second, who says his replacement has to be black?
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G
If they follow the movie, he has to be black. Although, that can change.
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C
But the article is suggesting women for the role too. A white male replacement would make more sense to me than a black woman would, and as you said, either way, they\'d have to replace his whole family.
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G
Unless.....they plan on having him killed off or get transferred & he has to relocate with the family, then they can have a female Murtaugh that could be a relative. Ah ha!
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C
Either way, I think I\'ll pass.
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B
Who cares at this point - really???
You could replace Damon Wayans with a ventriloquist\'s dummy and I still wouldn\'t watch this ill-conceived train wreck
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G
I like the Wayan brothers, but out of these 5, I think my choice goes to : Lamorne Morris. I thought he was pretty funny on New Girl & think he\'d be perfect on this show. (If they have a female play the part, they\'d have to change the whole family. Murtaugh is married with a wife & 2 kids.)
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R
Given the choices listed...I\'d vote for Gabrielle Union or Regina King...
If Dr. Who can \"become\" a woman...why not have a female Murtaugh???
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G
Wouldn\'t they have to change the whole family since Murtaugh is married with a wife & 2 kids?
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C
Yes, let\'s introduce regeneration and have them travel around in a phone booth too! ;-)
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O
I really like Regina King (saw very little of Union\'s work.) I think it\'s unfair to King for fans to think of her as merely a replacement actor in a show that is no longer what it originally was.
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