Movemie | Published: Oct. 21, 2022 3:38 PM
Earlier draft, and Schaffer will serve as an executive producer. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing through their company, Fuzzy Door.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources suggest that Neeson might portray the son of Detective Frank Drebin rather than stepping into the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
The original Naked Gun film featured the late Leslie Nielsen as Detective Drebin, a character known for his bumbling yet endearing nature. Over three films, Nielsen turned Drebin into a hall-of-fame deadpan comic icon. The first film was based on the 1982 ABC series Police Squad!, which was canceled after six episodes but later rebooted as a feature film in 1988.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! became a major hit, revitalizing Nielsen’s career and leading to sequels in 1991 and 1994. Discussions about rebooting the franchise began after Nielsen’s death in 2010, but the right storyline proved elusive. In recent months, following the success of the Top Gun: Maverick relaunch, development gained momentum for a new Naked Gun.
Liam Neeson may not seem an obvious choice for the role, but his comedic talent, particularly showcased in MacFarlane comedies, made him a compelling pick. The collaboration between Neeson and MacFarlane, along with the creative team’s success with Rescue Rangers, positions them well to relaunch the Naked Gun franchise.
Neeson is represented by CAA, Schaffer by UTA, and Gregor and Mand by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.