April 4, 2025
LOS ANGELES — Paramount Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for the upcoming reboot of the classic comedy franchise ‘The Naked Gun,’ with Liam Neeson stepping into the role of Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original character portrayed by Leslie Nielsen. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on August 1, 2025.
A New Generation of Drebin
In this reboot, Neeson’s character, Frank Drebin Jr., endeavors to uphold his father’s legacy within the Police Squad. The trailer, showcased at CinemaCon on April 3, opens with a humorous sequence where Drebin Jr. thwarts a group of villains while disguised in a schoolgirl outfit, blending action and comedy reminiscent of the original series.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film boasts a notable ensemble cast, including Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, and Danny Huston. The screenplay is a collaborative effort by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Schaffer, aiming to honor the original’s comedic style while introducing contemporary elements
Homage to the Original Series
The reboot pays tribute to its predecessors by incorporating familiar characters and nods to the original films. Notably, the trailer features Drebin Jr. visiting a memorial for his father and includes a subtle reference to Officer Nordberg, originally played by O.J. Simpson, eliciting a humorous reaction that aligns with the franchise’s irreverent tone.
Anticipation Builds
Fans of the original ‘Naked Gun’ series, which began with ‘The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!’ in 1988, have expressed both excitement and curiosity about the reboot. The original films were celebrated for their slapstick humor and satirical take on police procedurals, and the upcoming installment aims to capture that spirit while appealing to a new generation.
