Oscar-winning actor Liam Neeson is gradually stepping away from his long-standing reputation as an action star, embracing comedic roles instead. This shift was notably influenced by Seth MacFarlane’s soft reboot of Naked Gun, following Neeson’s appearances in comedies like Ted 2 and A Million Ways To Die In The West. At 73 years old, Neeson acknowledges the physical and creative challenges of continuing his action career and seems open to finding new directions in comedy and other genres.
Aging and the Limits of Action Stardom
In a recent interview with Variety, Neeson reflected on the evolution of his career, emphasizing that aging has made it difficult for him to convincingly portray intense action characters. He expressed concern about the risk of disappointing audiences if the fight scenes were no longer believable.
The first ‘Taken’ was 18 years ago, I was 54. Feels like a lifetime ago. I still get offered the occasional one. But I’m 73, for fuck’s sake. I don’t want to insult audiences if they’re watching whole fight scenes and it’s not me. I just wouldn’t do it. Up until recently, I liked doing my own fight stuff. But I don’t want to be doing that stuff with a Zimmer frame or walking stick. Sure, there might be another one out there, but nothing definite on the horizon,
Neeson said, showing his reluctance to continue pursuing action-heavy projects while leaving openness for a rare exception.
Refusing Horror Projects Despite Early Interests
Though willing to explore comedic and perhaps other new genres, Neeson remains firm in his decision to avoid horror films. His past experiences with horror projects such as the 1999 remake of The Haunting and the 2009 psychological thriller After.Life were not well received, influencing his current stance.
I’m a big believer in writers and the script. That’s the foundation stone, no matter what the genre. Except horror. I won’t do horror…As a kid, I would have loved it, the early Dracula films and Frankenstein, all that stuff, the Hammer movies, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing. But no, it’s just my taste,
he explained, highlighting his respect for storytelling while marking horror as a personal boundary.
Waiting to See How the New ‘Naked Gun’ Performs
Regarding the Naked Gun reboot, Neeson remains cautious about committing to further sequels until the current film’s reception becomes clear.
No. I think we’ll wait and see how it performs.
What This Means for Neeson’s Future Career
Liam Neeson’s careful approach to selecting roles speaks to his awareness of both his evolving abilities and audience expectations. While action movies put him on the map as a defining figure of the genre, his willingness to pivot towards comedy suggests a desire to remain relevant and respected without compromising quality. The new comedic projects, including the Naked Gun reboot currently playing in theaters, offer fans a chance to experience this different side of Neeson’s talents. Moving forward, his choices will likely reflect a balance between respecting his physical limits and seeking fresh creative challenges.
