After watching the new trailer for The Naked Gun, I’m thrilled to see the Liam Neeson movie I’ve waited a decade for. Liam Neeson’s best movies include all-time classics like Schindler’s List as well as blockbusters like Star Wars: Episode I, The Chronicles of Narnia, Batman Begins, and many more. He’s best known for action thriller films like Taken, but he’s one of the few names I can look to for an outstanding performance in practically any genre. I wouldn’t have assumed he’d be brilliant in comedic roles, but he nails those, too.
The original Naked Gun movie is a classic of goofy 1980s satire comedies, much like Airplane! It’s one of my go-to titles to turn off my brain and enjoy mindless laughter, but no one has mastered that genre quite like Leslie Nielsen, the late great actor who began the Naked Gun franchise with the TV series Police Squad! These movies are pure, unadulterated fun, and I couldn’t think of a better combination of creatives to develop The Naked Gun reboot than Akiva Schaffer, Seth MacFarlane, and Liam Neeson.
The Naked Gun Looks Like A Genuinely Hilarious Role For Liam Neeson
The Naked Gun Is Perfectly Suited For Liam Neeson
In a world filled with reboots, spinoffs, sequels, etc, The Naked Gun is one of the few titles I would’ve thought impossible to succeed with. The original film is so distinctly of its era that it would seem impossible to pull off in the modern day. The style of comedy is incredibly deadpan, and there just aren’t many satire films of its type finding success. I mean, the only recent ones I can think of that fulfill a similar tone are Cocaine Bear and Don’t Look Up, both of which were met with mixed responses.
After seeing the trailer of Liam Neeson in The Naked Gun reboot, I’ll admit I think I was wrong. The trailer is rather brief, but it provides a demonstration of the style of humor this movie will contain, and it feels faithful to the original series. Neeson seems like a shockingly apt successor to Leslie Nielsen’s version of the character, willing to embrace the self-depreciation that comes with a role like this. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the movie acknowledging the O.J. Simpson elephant in the franchise’s room.
Liam Neeson Hasn’t Done A Comedy Since His Excellent Ted 2 Cameo
Neeson’s Ted 2 Cameo Is Comedy Gold
If you’re a fan of Seth MacFarlane’s work, you’ve probably seen Liam Neeson’s cameo in Ted 2, which was shockingly his most recent comedic performance. Those movies, particularly the second one, are inconsistent to me, but the clip of him checking out Trix from a grocery store is one of my favorite bits MacFarlane has ever written. I’m in the camp that loves the random absurdity of Family Guy, and I’m hoping to see more of this in The Naked Gun reboot.
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The Naked Gun: Why Liam Neeson Is the Perfect Leslie Nielsen Replacement
The Naked Gun reboot will reportedly replace Leslie Nielsen with Liam Neeson as the main star, and he is the perfect choice for the movie.
Liam Neeson has done myriad action movies and thrillers in the past decade, most of which are of the Taken ilk when comedy could be a fantastic turn for this stage in his career. Consider actors like Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, who were primarily “serious” actors who found success in comedy. Many actors are talented in improv and have solid comedic chops, which is part of what makes interview shows so enjoyable to watch. Liam Neeson is one of the best, and this genre has untapped potential for him.
Liam Neeson Embracing Comedy With The Naked Gun’s Reboot Is Refreshing
Liam Neeson Is An Excitingly Subversive Choice
Liam Neeson is the perfect actor for this gig, and it’s oddly for the opposite reasons that made Leslie Nielsen ideal for the original. Leslie Nielsen was an actor whose career was defined by satires with a particular style, which worked perfectly in an era with a fondness for those movies. Liam Neeson is the polar opposite, with a career defined by his intensity in action thrillers like Taken. Everyone knows the “I will find you, and I will kill you” line, which makes his subversion of those tropes even more hilarious.
Everyone knows the “I will find you, and I will kill you” line, which makes his subversion of those tropes even more hilario
I’m always favorable to the unexpected choice. While Liam Neeson has done comedy before, his comedic roles are propelled by the subversion of his usual characters. If we know anything about the contemporary film climate, it’s that subversion is king. Audiences love a breakdown of expected tropes, and it’s even more enjoyable when a well-known actor delivers a performance no one could see coming. I think Liam Neeson will be fantastic in The Naked Gun reboot.
The Naked Gun
- Release Date
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August 1, 2025
- Director
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Akiva Schaffer
- Writers
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Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor
- Franchise(s)
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The Naked Gun