The original creators of the classic comedy franchise, The Naked Gun, have voiced sharp criticism regarding the upcoming Liam Neeson Naked Gun reboot, which is set to premiere in 2025. David Zucker, a key figure behind the ZAZ trio that shaped the beloved series, recently spoke out about why he believes this reboot, directed by Akiva Schaffer and starring Neeson, is missing the spirit and intent that made the original films iconic.
ZAZ Legacy and Their Unique Style of Comedy
The classic Naked Gun films were developed by the ZAZ collective—Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker—who carved out their own signature style of spoof comedy over decades. These filmmakers reshaped the genre through films like Airplane! and Top Secret!, integrating specific comedy rules that, according to David Zucker, ensured the movies remained clever and engaging.
Recently, while promoting his online course
“MasterCrash: A Crash Course in Spoof Comedy,”
David Zucker explained how their collective used fifteen main principles to refine comedic timing and delivery. He emphasized the importance of building genuine stories with relatable characters even within outrageous comedic scenarios.
“There’s a certain method to the madness,”
– David Zucker, Director
“We had our 15 rules, and I’m teaching them in the hopes that if anybody tries to do a movie like this again, they’ll do it right.”
– David Zucker, Director
“I think there’s an audience out there for any good story. You have to start with a good story and good characters. You need people who your audience is going to actually be invested in and care about. The kind of gag I love most is when nobody’s trying to be funny. They’re just acting.”
– David Zucker, Director
Original Creators Distance Themselves from the Reboot
With the passing of Jim Abrahams in 2024 and the original Zucker brothers choosing to remain uninvolved, the reboot stands apart from its roots in both development and direction. As Liam Neeson steps into the role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr.—the son of the original Frank Drebin, iconically portrayed by Leslie Nielsen—David Zucker makes clear that he believes certain elements simply cannot be replicated.
“They tried to replace Leslie Nielsen in the new Naked Gun, and you can’t replace him. No one else can do that,”
– David Zucker, Comedy Legend
“My brother, Jerry, and our partner, Jim Abrahams, started doing spoof comedies 50 years ago, and we originated our own style—and we did that so well that it looks easy, evidently. People started copying it, like [producer] Seth MacFarlane for the new Naked Gun. He totally missed it.”
– David Zucker, Director
Financials and Critical Response to the Reboot
The Liam Neeson Naked Gun reboot was produced with a reported budget of $42 million and managed to gross just over $102 million. While that figure is a solid return for the comedy genre, David Zucker remains skeptical about the necessity for such a large budget, arguing that true comedy does not require “technical pizzazz.”
“You shouldn’t spend too much money on comedies, and one of our rules is about technical pizzazz. Big budgets and comedy are opposites, and in the new Naked Gun, you could see that they spent a lot of money on scenes full of technical pizzazz while trying to copy our style.”
– David Zucker, Director
“Everybody’s in it for the money now, and that feels like the only reason why they wanted to do a new Naked Gun. Comedy changes, and I wouldn’t do the same thing anymore.”
– David Zucker, Director
New Cast Brings Changes to Iconic Roles
With Liam Neeson taking on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., and Pamela Anderson appearing as Beth Davenport, the film introduces new faces in established roles. Despite the star power, David Zucker cautioned that the unique essence of the original, shaped by actors like Leslie Nielsen, is difficult, if not impossible, to reproduce.
What the Future Holds for Spoof Comedies
David Zucker’s remarks reflect a broader skepticism about Hollywood’s modern approach to rebooting classic franchises, especially comedies. With figures like Seth MacFarlane now producing for the new generation, the tension between honoring the spirit of the original and commercial motivations becomes apparent. According to Zucker, the rules and nuanced execution that built the ZAZ legacy are not easily imitated, leaving the future of the spoof comedy genre, and the impact of projects like the Liam Neeson Naked Gun reboot, open to debate among both audiences and filmmakers.
