THE NAKED GUN Reboot Teaser Has Liam Neeson Disguised as a Little Girl

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Although many people who grew up during the ’80s and ’90s might know Leslie Nielsen as a hilarious comedic actor from movies like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun”, his comedic genius stemmed from his past roles as a serious, dramatic actor in films such as “Forbidden Planet”, “The Poseidon Adventure”, and “Day of the Animals”. In these earlier productions, Nielsen was often the strong leading man or reserved supporting character. This background made his unexpected appearance in “Airplane!” and similar movies all the more amusing, and ultimately led to him landing the lead role in “Police Squad!” and its subsequent film adaptation.

In a similar fashion, the creators of the reboot-sequel for The Naked Gun selected another actor known for his tough action and dramatic skills to portray Lt. Frank Drebin. Liam Neeson, famous for his role in Taken, will take on the character of Nielsen’s Frank Drebin Sr.’s son in the upcoming movie. You can check out a hilarious teaser trailer for it below.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that this upcoming movie boasts an impressive lineage. The dynamic duo of Seth MacFarlane and Akiva Schaffer are at the helm of production. Interestingly, Schaffer himself is not just a producer but also takes on the roles of director and co-writer. He collaborates with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand in scripting the storyline. You might recognize these names from their recent venture together in 2022’s “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

In this preview, there’s a hint of the absurdity that the movie promises. The colossal Irishman, known for his size, surprisingly dons the garb of a diminutive girl to thwart a bank heist. He employs a lollipop to execute the robbers. What a delightful touch! Later on, Liam Neeson pays tribute to his character’s predecessor. This is followed by Paul Walter Hauser honoring his fictional father, Capt. Ed Hocken, portrayed by George Kennedy in earlier productions. The tributes pile up until we reach a portrait of Det. Nordberg. His offspring, upon viewing the image, shakes their head and says “no,” which is quite amusing if you recognize the character or recall who played Nordberg in the previous films.

It appears the setup looks promising for a fresh spin on “The Naked Gun,” but the style of spoof-movies with broad humor has significantly waned in popularity over the years. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean it won’t be amusing or well-made. However, relying solely on Liam Neeson in a skirt and images of past cast members might not be enough to make it successful.

The Naked Gun will hit theaters August 1, 2025.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where he also oversees the popular weekly podcast, Laser Focus, which delves into the world of pop culture. His insightful film and television reviews are available to read here. You can keep up with him on Letterboxd.

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2025-04-03 21:02