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Frank Masi/Paramount
| Pamela Anderson as Beth and Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin, Jr. in 'The Naked Gun' |
Get ready for a comedy comeback that’s as unexpected as it is gloriously absurd. The Naked Gun is back, but this time, it’s got Liam Neeson wielding the badge, the baton, and the straight face that’s already cracking up Hollywood. Yes, you read that right—Neeson, the man who gave us one of the most intense monologues in Taken, is donning the trench coat as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., son of the legendary, clueless detective immortalized by Leslie Nielsen.
This reboot isn’t a mere remake—it’s a direct sequel to the original trilogy, crafted with the same madcap spirit but through a modern lens. Behind the camera is Akiva Schaffer, part of the brilliant comedy collective The Lonely Island, and producing is none other than Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. That alone should clue you in that this isn’t going to be a lazy nostalgia grab—it’s a carefully calibrated laugh machine loaded with slapstick, satire, and subversive gags.
The story? Drebin Jr. is following in his father’s chaotic footsteps as the one man who might stop a criminal conspiracy and—somehow—keep Police Squad from being turned into a Spirit Halloween store. Along the way, he crosses paths with Pamela Anderson’s mysterious femme fatale, battles Danny Huston’s sinister villain, and deals with a department full of legacy kids, including Paul Walter Hauser’s Ed Hocken Jr., son of the original captain.
Trailers for the reboot have already stirred buzz. First, a teaser premiered at CinemaCon in April, and then, in June 2025, a full-length trailer dropped. Both clips deliver the goods—zany sight gags, deadpan one-liners, and even a gutsy nod to O.J. Simpson’s character from the original films. It’s a delicate line to walk, and somehow, the new film manages to do it with a wink and a perfectly timed pratfall.
The chemistry between Neeson and Anderson is drawing early praise, with Anderson herself calling their scenes “electric” and “a cathartic experience.” She's channeling the same energy Priscilla Presley brought to the original trilogy, while also putting her own bold twist on the archetype. And Neeson? He’s having fun. Really fun. Despite confessing his nerves about comedy, he brings the same sincerity to Drebin Jr. that Leslie Nielsen once did—utterly committed to the ridiculousness of it all.
Paul Walter Hauser, who’s proven himself as a serious dramatic actor, also shows off his comedic chops. He says working with Neeson was a challenge only because he had to keep a straight face while Neeson delivered the most ridiculous lines imaginable with total intensity. That perfect blend of sincerity and nonsense is what made the original Naked Gun so timeless—and it seems this reboot nails that tone.
Then there’s the rest of the cast: CCH Pounder as a no-nonsense superior, Liza Koshy and Kevin Durand providing fresh comic energy, and even WWE's Cody Rhodes flexing more than just his muscles. Throw all that into the blender with Schaffer’s signature fast-paced, stylized direction—including bodycam-style chaos that channels Cops and Live PD—and you’ve got a comedy that feels both classic and totally of the moment.
Mark your calendars: The Naked Gun storms into theaters on August 1, 2025. Whether you're a diehard fan of the original or a curious newcomer, this is one summer comedy that promises to be a deliciously dumb (in the best way) highlight of the year. It’s a rare thing when a reboot feels this right, and if the trailers are any indication, Drebin Jr. is ready to trip, fall, and hilariously fumble his way into our hearts—just like his dad did decades ago.
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