The Naked Gun: A Comedy Classic
The Naked Gun franchise, originally released in 1988, is based on the TV show Police Squad! and follows bumbling detective Frank Drebin and his pals on the force as they try to foil a plot to assassinate the Queen of England.
Leslie Nielsen as Frank holds up his badge in The Naked Gun
Created by the legendary Zucker brothers, The Naked Gun's humor was a mix of slapstick antics and screwball weirdness, and it was largely anchored by franchise star Leslie Nielsen's brilliant delivery.
Liam Neeson & Seth McFarlane Have Talked About a Naked Gun Reboot
The franchise continued in two sequels throughout the 1990s, though their critical standing would slip with each successive release. Nevertheless, Leslie Nielsen's turn as Frank Drebin helped to further cement his place as one of comedy's best leading men.
The distinctive Zucker brothers absurdist comedy style has yet to be replicated in any era, making The Naked Gun a timeless classic in the comedy genre.
The Naked Gun Reboot Latest News
The latest news sees star Liam Neeson give a positive update on the Naked Gun reboot. The action legend was announced to lead the reboot back in 2022, and now he has finally spoken out about his big comedy turn.
Liam Neeson in a leather jacket looking tough and squinty eyed while pointing a gun, backdropped by Naked Gun star Leslie Nielsen making a hilarious comedy face
Neeson mentioned that he approached Seth MacFarlane and his team, who are working on the scripts for the reboot. They are hoping to start filming in the summertime, indicating that the project is finally moving forward with a studio attached.
Liam Neeson sitting in a car and holding a gun in Retribution.
Comedy maven Seth MacFarlane has been attached to the project since day one, and his successful acumen is probably another reason the project is such a high priority for Paramount.
The Naked Gun Reboot: Cast and Story
So far, the only name attached to the cast of the Naked Gun reboot is Liam Neeson, who will play Drebin's son, a bumbling police officer. The unfortunate passing of original film stars like Leslie Nielsen and George Kennedy limit the number of returning characters, though Priscilla Presley could reprise her role as Jane Spencer.
It is highly unlikely that O.J. Simpson would return as Officer Nordberg considering his very high-profile legal troubles.
Almost no story details have been revealed about the reboot, but it is known for its zany antics and absurdist humor. The junior Drebin will likely find himself stumbling his way through a massive case and nearly messing things up in the process.