Paramount Pictures has officially announced the revival of the beloved 'Naked Gun' franchise, with a remake set to hit theaters in July 2025. The iconic role of bumbling police detective Lt. Frank Drebin, originally portrayed by Leslie Nielsen, will now be taken on by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson.
The upcoming film will be helmed by director Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on comedies like 'Hot Rod' and 'Pop Star: Never Stop Stopping.' The script for the remake has been penned by Dan Gregor, Doug Man, and Schaffer, who previously collaborated on the 2022 film 'Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers.'
The 'Naked Gun' series, which was inspired by the TV show 'Police Squad!', was a pinnacle of slapstick comedy during its original run. The franchise spanned over six years, with installments including 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad' (1988), 'The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear' (1991), and 'Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult' (1994).
Leslie Nielsen, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 84, had a remarkable career transformation from a primarily dramatic actor to a comedic legend through his portrayal of Lt. Drebin. Reflecting on his career, Nielsen once expressed, 'It’s been dawning on me slowly that for the past 35 years I have been cast against type, and I’m finally getting to do what I really wanted to do.'
Fans of the original 'Naked Gun' films are eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved character in this modern retelling, with Neeson poised to bring his own unique flair to the role. As production gears up for the highly-anticipated remake, audiences can look forward to a fresh take on the classic comedy series that has left an indelible mark on the genre.
