Earlier this year, Paramount Pictures finally confirmed long-standing rumors about a “Naked Gun” reboot starring Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson (“Taken”). While that casting choice may seem odd, it’s about to get odder. It has now been announced that Neeson will star opposite Pamela Anderson (“Baywatch”).
While plot details are still secured in an evidence locker. We do know that Neeson will play Lt. Frank Drebin, originally portrayed by the late Leslie Nielsen. Anderson will be his love interest, her role will probably be similar to Jane Spencer originally played by Priscilla Presley. Given that Jane is equal parts sex symbol and goofball, it’s a fitting role for Anderson whoes poked fun at herself countless times before.
Akiva Schaffer is directing the “Naked Gun” reboot and 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. Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy,” “The Orville“) is producing alongside Erica Huggins. Schaffer is executive producing alongside Daniel M. Stillman.
“The Naked Gun” Franchise So Far
While we don’t know what the plot for the upcoming film will be, just yet. We do know it will be a continuation of the series/films created by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. The franchise started in 1982 when ABC first aired the crime spoof-comedy series “Police Squad! “ starring Nielsen. The series was canceled after 6 episodes, but in 1988, it spawned the movie “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” In which Lt. Frank has to stop an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1991 “The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear” hit theaters and centers around Frank finding out his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend is involved in a plot to kidnap a scientist. In 1994 “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” was released and Nielsen’s character comes out of retirement to stop a gang of terrorists from setting off a bomb at the Oscars.
All three films starred Nielsen as Frank Drebin, Presley as Jane Spencer, and the late O.J. Simpson (“Frogmen“) as Detective Nordberg.
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.
