In 1982, ABC first aired the crime spoof-comedy series “Police Squad! “ starring Leslie Nielsen. The series got axed after 6 episodes, but in 1988, it spawned the first “The Naked Gun” film. It sounds like we’re about to get a brand new take on the film, as Paramount Pictures has confirmed a reboot is on the way. Who will play Lt. Frank Drebin, you ask? Why none other than Liam Neeson (“Taken“).
[Editor’s note: Liam is kind of the perfect choice for the straight man character, as you can see from this clip from Ricky Gervais‘ “Life’s Too Short.”]
The upcoming film is currently untitled, but it will be a continuation of the series/films created by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy,” “The Orville“) is producing alongside Erica Huggins. It will be directed/executive-produced by Akiva Schaffer (“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping“), who co-wrote the script with Dan Gregor (“Mother Mary“) and Doug Mand (“Pretty Smart“). The trio previously worked together on 2022’s “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers,” starring “Saturday Night Live” alum Andy Samberg and John Mulaney.
The Franchise So Far
All three of the original films starred the late Nielsen as Lieutenant Frank Drebin, Priscilla Presley (“Agent Elvis“) as Jane Spencer, and O.J. Simpson (“Frogmen“) as Detective Nordberg. Each movie follows the trio as they try to stop yet another catastrophe.
In 1988, “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” Frank has to stop an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. 1991’s “The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear” centers around Frank finding out his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend is involved in a plot to kidnap a scientist. In 1994’s “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” Nielsen’s character comes out of retirement to stop a gang of terrorists from setting off a bomb at the Oscars.
This upcoming “Naked Gun” film is set to be released on July 18, 2025. We’ll keep you posted on updates about this project as they become available. In the meantime, you can check out all three of the original films currently streaming on MAX.
