Irish actor Liam Neeson has released a public service announcement encouraging audiences to support comedy movies in cinemas ahead of the release of the Liam Neeson Naked Gun reboot. This appeal comes as traditional comedy films increasingly skip theatrical release, instead moving directly to streaming platforms.
Neeson’s message highlights the decline of comedy films on the big screen, referencing recent trends like Happy Gilmore 2 launching straight to Netflix rather than cinemas. Through a playful yet sincere video featuring scenes from well-known comedies such as Anchorman, Clueless, and Tropic Thunder, accompanied by emotive music, he stresses the importance of keeping comedy alive in theaters.
Supporting Comedy: A Plea to Moviegoers
In the advert, Neeson reflects on the gradual disappearance of cinematic comedies, explaining how fewer of these films are produced, seen, or culturally remembered. He states,
Every passing year, more and more comedies go unmade, unseen, and unquoted,
adding,
But for the price of one movie ticket, you can help rescue a comedy.
He urges viewers to purchase tickets to help ensure that future generations enjoy comedy on the big screen:
“Please, buy a ticket right now, so our children, and hopefully their children too, can one day enjoy watching a comedy in the theatre.”
The advert concludes with the website savecomedy.org, directing fans to more information about Neeson’s new Naked Gun film.
About the New Naked Gun Film and Liam Neeson’s Role
Liam Neeson, known predominantly for intense thriller roles like those in Taken, is making a notable shift into comedy as the lead in the reboot of the iconic Naked Gun series. The original trilogy, famous in the 1980s and 1990s, starred Leslie Nielsen as the clumsy detective Frank Drebin and featured OJ Simpson. Neeson now portrays Drebin’s son in this revival, joining a cast that includes Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser.
The new film is scheduled for release in United Kingdom cinemas on August 1, marking a return to theaters for Neeson after several years focused mainly on streaming projects. Alongside this, one of Neeson’s older movies recently topped daily streaming charts in both the UK and Ireland, demonstrating his ongoing popularity.
Looking Ahead: Neeson’s Career and Comedy’s Future on Screen
As Neeson prepares to transition from action movies with plans to retire from the genre by the end of 2025, his involvement in the Naked Gun reboot reflects a hopeful step toward revitalizing big-screen comedy. His appeal for supporting theatrical comedy releases highlights a wider concern for the survival of the genre in an era dominated by streaming services.
By urging fans to choose cinema tickets over at-home viewing, Neeson emphasizes the cultural value of experiencing comedy with an audience in a theater setting, an experience he hopes to preserve for the generations to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Liam Neeson a billionaire?
A. Reports suggest that by 2024, Neeson’s wealth is expected to be about $145 million.
Q. What is Liam Neeson’s religion?
A. Raised in a Catholic family, he was named Liam after a priest from his community. He has three sisters: Elizabeth, Bernadette, and Rosaleen.
Q. What religion is Liam Neeson?
A. He mentioned that being raised Catholic in a mostly Protestant town made him cautious. He felt somewhat like a “second-class citizen” at times. However, he also noted that at the mainly Protestant technical college in town, he never felt “inferior or even different.”
