Hollywood hard man Liam Neeson is set to take a new direction by starring in the Naked Gun reboot, which has been confirmed for release in July 2025.
Paramount Pictures confirmed a release date for the long-talked about reboot on February 28. It was 2022 when Neeson was first linked with taking on the lead role in the film. At the time, Neeson quipped: “It’ll either finish my career or bring it in another direction, I honestly don’t know.”
The new Naked Gun is being produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins via the former’s Fuzzy Door production company. Akiva Schaffer is on board to direct the film.
The original Naked Gun film, subtitled From the Files of Police Squad!, came out in 1988 and starred Leslie Nielson as inept detective Frank Drebin alongside OJ Simpson – the latter was then trying to carve out a movie career. Based on the successful Police Squad! comedy series, the film followed the same vein of silly humour and physical comedy.
Naked Gun was a huge success at the box office and spawned two sequels; Naked Gun 2½ The Smell of Fear in 1991 and 1994’s Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
Details of the plot of the reboot, as well as other cast members and a title for the film, are currently being kept quiet, but will no doubt emerge in time. Back in 2022, Deadline Hollywood suggested that Neeson would play the son of Frank Drebin, but this has never been confirmed.
Neeson, while known for his dramatic roles, has dabbled in comedy, such as when he sent himself up in an episode of Atlanta. Of course, Neilson was once known as a serious actor, before turning into an iconic star of comedy films such as Naked Gun and the earlier Airplane! so there is precedent.
