The upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun faces a daunting challenge: stepping into the shoes of Leslie Nielsen, whose unmatched deadpan delivery defined the iconic role of Lt. Frank Drebin. Scheduled for release on August 1, this new film will feature Liam Neeson replacing Leslie Nielsen as the lead, a choice that has sparked curiosity and debate among fans and critics alike. The reboot aims to honor Nielsen’s legacy while bringing a fresh take to the enduring comedy franchise.
Leslie Nielsen’s prolific career spanned six decades with hundreds of film and TV roles, but he reached legendary status primarily through his comedic turns in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series. His unique ability to maintain a serious demeanor amid absurd circumstances earned praise from notable critics like Roger Ebert, who famously called him “the Olivier of spoofs.” The challenge now is to find a way to create a new version of an irreproducible comedic force.
Akiva Schaffer’s Approach to Balancing Homage and Innovation
Director Akiva Schaffer, known for his work with the Lonely Island comedy group and directing films like Hot Rod, acknowledges the difficulty in matching Nielsen’s iconic performance.
“The first Naked Gun is a perfect movie, and Leslie Nielsen is irreplaceable,”
Schaffer admits.
“He is his own thing, and anybody trying to do him is going to fail, even if they’re the funniest person on Earth.”
Despite this, Schaffer believes Liam Neeson brings a unique set of skills that justify his casting as Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen’s character.
The Naked Gun franchise, created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (ZAZ), originally thrived on rapid-fire slapstick comedy, clever puns, and unexpected visual jokes. The original series, including the TV show Police Squad! and three films, typified fast-paced spoof humor centered on Nielsen’s steadfast but oblivious Lt. Frank Drebin. Schaffer’s film must capture this essence while updating the tone for modern audiences.
Liam Neeson’s Surprising Fit as the New Lt. Frank Drebin
Liam Neeson, primarily known for intense dramatic roles and the action-packed Taken series, brings an unexpected but fitting energy to the role. His experience combining gravitas with a sharp sense of timing in recent comic appearances made him the ideal candidate. Schaffer points out the amusing coincidence in their names, noting the phonetic similarity as a playful nod intended from the earliest scripting stages.
“Liam Neeson was the guy who opened up my mind to the world of what the movie could be,”
Schaffer shares.
“Liam does things that no one else can do as well. I don’t want to say ‘a particular set of skills,’ but it’s true. He’s got his own particular set of skills that apply to this.”
This endorsement underscores the confidence behind the casting choice, positioning Neeson as more than just a replacement but as a fresh lead who respects the original spirit.
The Narrative Focus: Frank Drebin Jr. and the Legacy Theme
In the reboot, Neeson’s character is Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original Drebin, a lineage made clear early in the film’s teaser trailer. It quickly establishes a heartfelt homage to the late character, with the police department paying respect at their Hall of Legends. The humor extends even to the inclusion of O.J. Simpson’s character, Det. Nordberg, in a self-aware moment reflecting on legacy sequels and their challenges.
Schaffer recalls the pressure and humor embedded in addressing these legacy concerns.
“When you tell people ‘I’m writing a Naked Gun,’ they go, ‘What are you gonna do about O.J.?’”
he says.
“Obviously, you’ve gotta answer that question right away. I wrote that scene the first week. It’s making fun of legacy sequels and the idea of, like, ‘it’s their son now.’ But what if it’s every character’s sons?”
This meta-awareness signals that the film intends to both celebrate and satirize sequel traditions.
Updating the Comedy for a New Generation
While the original Naked Gun films parodied ’50s and ’60s crime shows such as Dragnet and M Squad, modern viewers might be less familiar with those references. To address this, Schaffer has shifted the film’s tone to reflect influences from the ’90s onwards, incorporating elements from shows like Law & Order and CSI, as well as contemporary action franchises like John Wick and Taken.
“The choice I made is to make it feel more modern or ’90s,”
Schaffer explains.
“There’s so much stuff that’s happened in the procedural, detective, and action genres since 1990. We have 35 years of Law & Order and CSI on TV. And then the Mission: Impossible, John Wick, and Taken movies.”
This update aims to maintain the energetic spirit of the original while ensuring relevance for today’s audiences.
Supporting Cast and Nostalgic Elements
Adding to the film’s blend of old and new is Pamela Anderson, cast as a key player, bringing her ’90s celebrity status to the production. Anderson’s recent acclaimed role in the 2024 indie drama The Last Showgirl, along with her cultural resurgence, make her a fitting symbol of the reboot’s approach to melding nostalgia with current sensibilities.
Schaffer highlights Anderson’s understanding and enthusiasm for the project:
“She understood exactly what this was and was so game. There’s something about her past that reminds you of this genre, but there’s something of her future where she’s [at the] Met Gala that is very today. She is in this interesting cultural moment that is exactly what the movie is trying to do–reminding you of the past, taking the spirit of it, and doing something totally new with it.”
The Commitment to Silly Comedy in a Challenging Production
Despite the thoughtful updates and the weight of carrying a legendary character’s legacy, Schaffer emphasizes that this Naked Gun remains firmly a silly comedy at heart.
“All movies are very hard to make. But it’s always funny when the thing that makes it hard to make is like, ‘No, that fart has to sound 10 percent wet!’ That’s what you’re yelling at somebody about. It’s an honor to get to make something silly,”
he says, capturing the joy and challenge behind such a project.
The anticipation surrounding the release reflects the stakes involved in balancing reverence with fresh comedy. The film is set to open in theaters on August 1, inviting both longtime fans and new viewers to experience a revamped yet familiar take on a classic slapstick universe.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Liam Neeson’s religion?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family and was named Liam after a priest from his area. He has three sisters named Elizabeth, Bernadette, and Rosaleen.
