*update* Lethal Weapon renewed, Sean William Scott replaces Clayne Crawford

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One of the most dramatic storylines this upfront season has come to an end, with American Pie alum Seann William Scott tapped to star opposite Damon Wayans on Fox’s Lethal Weapon. He replaces original co-lead Clayne Crawford whose option for next season will not be picked up by producer Warner Bros. TV over on-set behavior issues.

In its first series regular role, Scott will play a new character, who will be partnered with Wayans’ Murtaugh. The recent Season 2 finale of Lethal Weapon laid the groundwork for Crawford’s exit with a cliffhanger, in which (SPOILER ALERT)

“Seann is a fantastic addition to this already amazing cast,” said Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn. “Lethal Weapon is packed with action, drama and pure fun and we can’t wait to see Damon and Seann together on screen. Matt Miller, his incredible team and everyone at Warner Bros. have been tremendous partners, and we’re thrilled to bring this show back for another season.”

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‘Lethal Weapon’s Fox Renewal On The Line Over Co-Lead Clayne Crawford’s Behavior

EXCLUSIVE: Lethal Weapon is the youngest and highest rated of the three Warner Bros TV drama series for Fox, so its renewal had been considered a no-brainer. But a behind-the scene issue involving one of the two leads, Clayne Crawford, is making a third season a rather complex proposition.

I have learned that Crawford has had a history of bad behavior on the show, and that he has been disciplined several times over complaints of emotional abuse and creating a hostile environment. I hear the issue has escalated to a point where other actors as well as crew on Lethal Weapon would feel uncomfortable being on set with him. The problem is threatening the future of the show, with a recasting — a rare and dramatic move when involving a lead of an established series — being explored. Fox and Warner Bros TV declined comment.

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Six days before Fox is set to unveil its fall 2018 lineup, the network is yet to make renewal decisions on its three Warner Bros. TV series, Lethal Weapon, Gotham and Lucifer. As Deadline previously reported, the Season 3 pickup of the strongest of the three, Lethal Weapon, was put in jeopardy by complaints of co-lead Clayne Crawford’s on-set behavior, including two alleged incidents involving him. (Crawford has since put out his side of the story and apologized for “my part of the conflict.”)

As we indicated in our story, producer Warner Bros. TV had set out to explore potential recasting of the role. Over the past two weeks, the studio has approached several actors for the role. While a recasting would mean a likely replacement of Crawford, according to sources he has not been yet formally terminated from the series. Crawford has been carrying on with his duties — just hours ago he took to Instagram to promote Lethal Weapon‘s Season 2 finale, which airs tonight.

A replacement or a list of potential candidates would likely be a key in WBTV’s efforts to secure a third-season renewal from Fox, something that is up in the air but could be decided in the next few days.

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