- The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer is directing
- Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson star
- The film is set for release on 1 August, 2025
It’s been over 30 years since the last instalment of The Naked Gun franchise – 1994’s The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult – but the iconic cartoonish, slapstick police detective action is set for a return to the big screen.
The original trilogy of films starred the late Leslie Nielsen – star of the action comedy Airplane! films – as Frank Drebin, a bumbling detective who lacked any common sense, but found himself solving cases through sheer luck.
The first film was based on the 1982 TV series Police Squad!. It was canceled after six episodes, but rebooted as feature film The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! in 1988. It was the start of a trilogy that would prove to be a huge hit with audiences and revive Nielsen’s acting career in the process.
Nielsen was the perfect fit for the character, endearing fans to Drebin’s loveable antics and turning him into a deadpan comic icon. When Nielsen died in 2010, talks began about rebooting the franchise and three years later Paramount Pictures made the announcement that it was in development.
Who is starring in the Naked Gun reboot?
Liam Neeson is set to take on the role of Frank Drebin Jr – the presumed son of Neilsen’s Drebin character – though with Naked Gun movies, you never know.
Speaking to People, Neeson revealed he was a fan of the original movies: “They were a good giggle,” he says.
He was recruited for the reboot by producer Seth MacFarlane, his A Million Ways to Die in the West co-star. “He approached me about it: ‘They are going to reboot it, would you be interested?’ I thought, ‘Yeah, I would actually.’”
Neeson is best known for the action thriller films, Taken, and don’t forget he was nominated for a lead actor Oscar in Schindler’s List. Given his heavy drama background it comes as no surprise there’s uncertainty around Neeson being able to pull off such a slapstick comedy role. However, with MacFarlane’s credentials – creator of Family Guy, The Orville and Ted – there’s good reason to trust the process.
Neeson added: “Whether I can carry it or not, I honestly don’t know”.
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Joining Neeson is Pamela Anderson, who is enjoying rave reviews and award nominations for her latest performance as a Las Vegas showgirl in Gia Coppola’s film, The Last Showgirl.
Anderson was one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry throughout the 90’s – most notably as Baywatch icon CJ Parker – and has recently stepped back into the Hollywood limelight.
She spoke about her experience filming the Naked Gun reboot on Late Night with Seth Myers: “It was so fun. I mean, it’s so different from this film (The Last Showgirl). It’s a high comedy. I’m literally running into walls, which I’ve always wanted to do.”
Anderson continued with high praise for her co-star Neeson: “Liam is such a gentleman. He’s such a sweetheart, such a love, and we just had a great connection”.
Her role in the film hasn’t been confirmed as of yet, but it’s expected she’ll be playing the love interest of Neeson’s Drebin Jr, similar to Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer in the original three films.
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Judging by Anderson’s comments on a strong connection with Neeson, it looks like we’re in store for some hilarious scenes between the pair.
Rounding out the confirmed cast are Paul Walter Hauser as Captain Ed Hocken, Kevin Durand in a villainous role, and Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes in supporting roles.
What’s the plot of the new film?
Plot details haven’t been officially released, but we can expect to see a quick-witted Frank Drebin Jr on a new and onsburd action adventure with a satirical take on police procedures.
The film is being written and directed by The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and overseen by MacFarlane, so it’s going to be slapstick silly – true to the franchise’s roots.
MaFarlance told Collider: “Akiva Schaffer and his team have done a hell of a job”.
When is the new Naked Gun released?
Paramount dropped the first trailer on 3 April, 2025. You can watch it above. It features a small cameo (via a framed photo) of the late Leslie Nielsen that confirms Liam Neeson’s character is in fact the son of Nielsen’s Drebin.
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on 1 August, 2025, having been moved back from its original release date of 18 July.
