One of the most unexpected casting moves in recent memory is also shaping up to be one of the boldest. Liam Neeson, long known for his gritty roles in action films like Taken and The Grey, is stepping into the comedic chaos of The Naked Gun reboot — playing Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the iconic detective made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
Slated for release on August 1, 2025, the reboot is directed by Akiva Schaffer (Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers) and produced by Seth MacFarlane, both of whom promise to bring back the deadpan humor and slapstick brilliance that defined the original franchise. Rather than recycling the same gags, the team is building a new story around Drebin Jr., a detective who seems to stumble into victory more than he earns it.
Early details suggest the film will spoof everything from modern tech culture to political scandal, with Neeson playing it all completely straight — a signature element of the original films. According to Schaffer, “We didn’t want someone who’s funny on purpose. We needed someone serious enough that the absurdity happens around them. That’s why Liam is perfect.”
The first footage shown at CinemaCon includes Neeson in full schoolgirl disguise during a sting operation and a chaotic police chase through a children’s theme park. It’s clear that the reboot isn’t shying away from the ridiculous.
Alongside Neeson, the cast includes Pamela Adlon as Drebin’s no-nonsense ex-wife, Billy Eichner in a role tied to the film’s social media satire, and a cameo from Kevin Hart. While the original films poked fun at ‘80s and ‘90s cop movie tropes, this version updates the formula to lampoon today’s hyper-connected, surveillance-heavy world.
Fans of the original Naked Gun films will likely feel the nostalgia, but this reboot is aiming to stand on its own. And if Liam Neeson can deliver the same kind of unintentional hilarity that made Leslie Nielsen a comedy legend, The Naked Gun might just pull off the impossible — making spoof movies funny again.