Liam Neeson’s 2020 action thriller, Honest Thief, has returned to number one on Netflix UK, demonstrating ongoing interest in the Irish actor’s work despite mixed reviews and poor box office performance. Known for his roles in revenge-driven action films, Neeson continues to attract viewers on streaming platforms.
Overview of Honest Thief and Its Cast
Honest Thief features Neeson as a former bank robber who attempts to turn himself in to the FBI but becomes entangled in a setup by corrupt officials. The film also stars Robert Patrick, famous for Terminator 2, and Anthony Ramos from Ironheart. Although Honest Thief did not succeed financially in theaters and received mixed critical feedback, its popularity on Netflix remains strong.
Liam Neeson Reflects on His Future in Action Roles
At 72 years old, Liam Neeson has suggested he may soon retire from the action genre, acknowledging the physical demands and the need to maintain audience trust. Speaking with People magazine, he said,
“I’m 72 — it has to stop at some stage. You can’t fool audiences”
and also explained his commitment to performing his own stunts:
“I don’t want Mark to be fighting my fight scenes for me. Maybe the end of next year. I think that’s it”
. Mark Vanselow has been a key collaborator in Neeson’s stunt work.
Upcoming Projects and Genre Shift
While Neeson is set to star in a comedic reboot of The Naked Gun, he remains involved with three action-thrillers currently in development: Cold Storage alongside Joe Keery; Hotel Tehran featuring Zachary Levi; and The Mongoose with co-star Marisa Tomei. This mix of projects shows Neeson balancing new directions with familiar territory.
Unexpected Star Wars Connection
Adding a surprising twist to Neeson’s career, Star Wars concept artist Iain McCaig recently revealed that Neeson was originally considered for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace, a casting choice that could have altered the franchise’s trajectory significantly.
Significance of Neeson’s Streaming Success
Despite Honest Thief’s lackluster box office results and mixed critical reception, its strong performance on Netflix highlights the continuing appeal of Liam Neeson’s style of action thriller among streaming audiences. This trend underscores how established actors can sustain their relevance in the digital era, while Neeson’s gradual move toward comedy and possible retirement from intense action roles marks a notable shift in his career path.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Liam Neeson’s religion?
A. Liam Neeson was born in Ballymena, County Antrim. His dad was Bernard “Barney” Neeson, a school caretaker, and his mom, Katherine “Kitty” Neeson (originally Brown), worked as a cook. She grew up in Waterford, located in the southeast of Ireland. Raised in a Catholic family, Liam got his name from a priest in the area.
