Liam Neeson Takes on Leslie Nielsen’s Legacy in ‘The Naked Gun’

The legendary slapstick comedy franchise The Naked Gun is making a grand return, and this time, Liam Neeson is stepping into the shoes (or rather, the bumbling police badge) of the iconic Leslie Nielsen. Paramount Pictures has officially released the teaser trailer for the reboot, simply titled The Naked Gun, which is set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025.

A New Drebin Rises: Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr.

The teaser introduces Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen’s beloved clueless detective from the original Police Squad! TV series and the classic 1988 film. The trailer humorously plays on Neeson’s famous Taken persona, with a tongue-in-cheek tagline:

"Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world!"

Viewers get a glimpse of Neeson’s comedic side as he hilariously takes down a villain disguised as a schoolgirl using a sharpened lollipop—a perfect nod to the absurd humor that defined the original films. The trailer also includes an emotional moment where Drebin Jr. tearfully addresses a photo of his late father, cementing the film’s connection to its predecessor.

Star-Studded Cast & Creative Team

Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy), the reboot aims to stay true to the zany, deadpan humor that made the original a cult classic. The film also features an impressive ensemble cast, including:

• Pamela Anderson (in a hilarious physical comedy role)
• Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai, Black Bird)
• CCH Pounder (The Shield)
• WWE’s Cody Rhodes (making his big-screen comedy debut)
• Liza Koshy (Liza on Demand)
• Danny Huston (Yellowstone)

Pamela Anderson, who plays a key role, recently praised Neeson’s unexpected comedic skills on Late Night with Seth Meyers, saying:

"Liam is hysterical. You’re not going to see it coming. That’s how good he is. It was really hard to keep a straight face."

Can Neeson Fill Nielsen’s Shoes?

Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin remains one of the greatest comedy characters of all time, leaving Neeson with massive shoes to fill. Interestingly, both actors share the same initials (L.N.), adding a fun meta-layer to the casting.

Neeson himself acknowledged the challenge, telling ComingSoon:

"I know my comedy chops have to be proven. But the script has some very funny laugh-out-loud moments."

Fans of the original films will be pleased to hear that the reboot stays true to the high-energy slapstick and absurd satire that made The Naked Gun a hit.

A Tribute to the Originals

The original Naked Gun trilogy (1988-1994) was a massive success, earning $166 million at the box office and becoming a staple of ’90s comedy. The reboot pays homage to its roots with cameos from the descendants of original characters like Captain Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) and Officer Nordberg (O.J. Simpson)—both of whom have since passed away, along with Nielsen (2010) and co-creator Jim Abrahams (2024).

Why Is This a Big Deal?

• Liam Neeson in a full-blown comedy? Known for intense action films (Taken) and heavy dramas (Schindler’s List), this marks a significant genre shift for the actor.
• Pamela Anderson’s comeback – After her well-received documentary Pamela, A Love Story, she’s returning to Hollywood with a high-profile comedy role.
• Seth MacFarlane’s involvement – The Family Guy creator’s influence ensures sharp, satirical humor.

Final Verdict: Will It Work?

The teaser suggests a faithful yet fresh take on the franchise. If Neeson can master the deadpan delivery and the script maintains its rapid-fire gags, this could be the biggest comedy hit of 2025.