As a seasoned movie critic who has seen his fair share of action-packed thrillers and heartwarming dramas, I must admit that I am both intrigued and apprehensive about Liam Neeson’s foray into comedy with the reboot of The Naked Gun. Having watched Neeson transform from a soft-spoken scholar in Schindler’s List to an unrelenting action hero in the Taken series, it is a bit jarring to imagine him delivering one-liners and slapstick humor.
In August next year, Liam Neeson, who is well-known for his role in “Taken,” will temporarily trade his grizzled, action hero character for a more humorous (yet possibly equally intense) one, as he takes on the reboot of the beloved comedy “The Naked Gun.” Recently, Neeson has shared some hints about this upcoming comedy, giving a chilling preview when questioned about the project by JoBlo. With a serious expression and using his distinctive voice, Neeson ominously warned…
“It’s going to be very funny.”
The brief manner in which Neeson hints at massive humor, as if it’s a warning, is undeniably a tantalizing sneak peek into the upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun, where Neeson’s distinctive persona will take center stage in a comedic setting. Off-camera, it’s said that Neeson commended his fellow cast members, an ensemble including Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes.
Although he’s renowned for his acting skills, Liam Neeson confesses that he feels apprehensive about spearheading a full-length comedy. Known for roles in movies like “Ted 2”, “A Million Ways to Die in the West”, and the TV show “Derry Girls”, Neeson has ventured into comedy before, but his primary roles have been action-oriented as an award-winning actor and Oscar nominee. Speaking exclusively to MovieWeb, he revealed:
I’ve worked on a few brief TV skits alongside Stephen Colbert and Ricky Gervais, but now I find myself apprehensive about The Naked Gun, as it’s a full-length movie. This project is different because of its extended duration compared to my previous appearances. However, if it performs well, which I expect it will, Akiva Schafer is our writer and director. There are numerous humorously timed gags in the script, and there’s a unique blend of comedy and serious dialogue occurring simultaneously.
Liam Neeson Declares the Comedy a Reboot & Not a Remake
For quite some time, there have been plans to revive The Naked Gun series, leading many to believe it would be a fresh take on the 1988 comedy film. However, Liam Neeson clarified that this isn’t a remake but instead a reboot. This seems to confirm earlier speculations, as Neeson will reportedly play Frank Drebin Jr., the offspring of Leslie Nielson’s Lieutenant Frank Drebin and the top agent from Police Squad.
This isn’t a re-telling of the original story; instead, it’s a fresh start, a reboot. It’s an entirely new take on things. We plan to begin filming in May and continue for a couple of months. The script is solid, but it’s still being refined. You see, there are a few scenes that will make you laugh out loud, but we need several more to really hit the mark.
Starting off as the brief television show Police Squad! in 1982, the film franchise known as The Naked Gun was born, featuring Leslie Nielsen’s iconic character, “the detective with a golden heart and wooden brain,” Frank Drebin. The first installment, titled The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, hit screens in 1988, leading to two sequels: The Naked Gun 2+1/2: The Smell of Fear in 1991 and Naked Gun 33+1/3: The Final Insult in 1994. To this day, the trilogy continues to be a beloved comedy series among fans, sparking questions about whether any potential reboot could measure up to its lasting impact.
Enthusiasts might be looking forward to the new take on The Naked Gun by Neeson, MacFarlane and Schaffer, but the director of the original, David Zucker, has expressed no interest in this project.
It seems like Paramount is moving forward without me on this project. I wasn’t consulted beforehand, which was disappointing since we were hoping to keep the franchise within our team. When we heard they loved our script, we were thrilled, but it seems that plan didn’t pan out. Unfortunately, I have no say in what happens next. I’m not involved at all, and they haven’t asked for my assistance. It appears they have their own vision for this project, and they’re going to see it through without me. They haven’t reached out to me for a cameo or writing input.
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2024-10-28 15:31