Paramount Pictures made a significant announcement yesterday, revealing the premiere date for the long-anticipated reboot of the classic 1988 comedy film, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. Scheduled for release on July 18, 2025, this revival of the iconic franchise will be co-produced by Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins through their production company, Fuzzy Door. The Naked Gun reboot is set to star Liam Neeson.
The decision to revive The Naked Gun franchise with Liam Neeson comes after years of speculation and discussion within the entertainment industry. Reports first surfaced as early as 2009 regarding a potential fourth instalment titled The Naked Gun: What 4? The Rhythm of Evil. However, this attempt at revitalising the series was apparently mired in development hell and never came to fruition. Complicating matters further, the passing of Leslie Nielsen, the beloved actor who portrayed the bumbling yet endearing Detective Frank Drebin, in 2010 cast a shadow over any potential revival efforts.
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In 2014, another attempt at breathing new life into The Naked Gun franchise emerged, with rumours circulating that actor Ed Helms would take on the role of Frank Drebin. However, this endeavour failed to materialise, leaving fans of the series eagerly awaiting news of any progress. Now, roughly 14 years after the initial reports of a Naked Gun 4, Paramount Pictures has finally confirmed that the reboot is back on track and will star Liam Neeson.
The decision to cast Liam Neeson in the lead role represents a significant departure from his usual repertoire of action-packed thrillers, signalling a deliberate pivot towards comedy for the seasoned actor. Liam Neeson’s involvement in the project was first teased back in 2022 when he joked about the potential career implications of joining the Naked Gun reboot. His self-awareness and willingness to embrace a new challenge speak volumes about his dedication to the craft and his desire to explore diverse roles.
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Liam Neeson’s collaboration with MacFarlane on previous projects such as Ted 2 and A Million Ways To Die In The West further underscores the actor’s comfort working alongside the acclaimed producer. Their established rapport and shared creative vision bode well for the success of The Naked Gun reboot, promising audiences a fresh and innovative take on the beloved franchise.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on projects like Hot Rod and Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping, the reboot with Liam Neeson is poised to inject new energy and humour into the timeless tale of Detective Frank Drebin’s misadventures. Schaffer’s comedic sensibilities and knack for blending satire with slapstick comedy make him an ideal choice to helm the project, ensuring that the spirit of the original films is preserved while offering a contemporary twist.
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While specific details regarding the reboot’s plot and additional casting remain tightly under wraps, the mere prospect of revisiting the zany world of The Naked Gun is enough to excite fans of the franchise. The irreverent humour, absurd situations, and memorable characters that defined the original trilogy continue to resonate with audiences decades later, serving as a testament to the enduring appeal of this comedic gem.
In a world where reboots are as common as reruns, Paramount’s revival of The Naked Gun franchise has tongues wagging. But will this iteration be a watered-down, sanitised version, crafted to appease the ever-screaming harpy feminists? With Hollywood’s penchant for political correctness, one can’t help but wonder if the irreverent humour and unapologetic slapstick of the original will be sacrificed at the altar of social sensitivity. As the premiere date looms closer, fans are left questioning: Will this Naked Gun be stripped of its edgy charm, or will it boldly defy the forces of censorship to deliver the belly laughs we crave?. Will Drebin now issue trigger warnings before cracking a joke?
It could potentially be funny to see Liam Neeson deliver Airplane! style jokes. Leslie Nielsen was a dramatic actor being doing Airplane!, and now most people remember him as a comedy actor. I guess there’s a chance doing something similar with Liam Neeson might work?
I doubt that the current “talent pool” in Hollywood is capable of pulling off a Zucker Abrahams Zucker style comedy though.
That’s true, then there’s also the question of how sterilised the comedy would have to be so as not to offend the overly sensitive