Liam Neeson might just portray the late Leslie Nielsen’s Lt Frank Drebin’s son in Paramount Pictures’ reboot for Naked Gun. It may truly just be the current mission of all movie companies with existing franchises to their credit. They are all seeking to reboot, revisit, reproduce classic franchises. Indeed, updating the fanbase to include the younger generation is of paramount importance. Pun may have been intended.
This newest information from Deadline may just be another such mission from Paramount Pictures. Right off the bat, the new actor they got for Drebin’s son sounds uncannily like the original actor’s name. Intentional? Who knows! How are they going to do this? We have no idea. But already it has a lot of comedy possibilities. Perhaps, given a good writing, Neeson can give Nielsen a run for his money.
Paramount Pictures Wants Naked Gun Reboot With Liam Neeson
Image: Paramount
Yes. The Naked Gun reboot is happening with Liam Neeson in talks to be its star and Akiva Schaffer as its director. The green light for the production is practically on, that is until Neeson signs on the dotted lines.
Paramount Pictures already have its writers on board, Dan Gregor and Doug Mand will be writing the script. There is a previous draft that Mark Hentemann and Alec Sulkin wrote for the project. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins join Schaffer who will also executive produce the movie as producers through their company Fuzzy Door.
Gregor and Mand have had countless writing partnerships to their credit. Apart from this reboot project, they are also going to work on Rookie of the Year. Together, they wrote 2022 Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Television Movie Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Among their other works are Dolittle, Magic Camp, Most Likely Murder, and many more. They also worked on television series such as Pretty Smart, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Comedians and How I Met Your Mother.
Meanwhile, Schaffer directed Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers and 68 episodes of Saturday Night Live since 2005 to 2021. He also directed 9 episodes of the television series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.
Paramount Pictures Wants Naked Gun Reboot With Liam Neeson
Image: Paramount
Thus, the comedy is in quite good hands as one looks at the writers and the director. Notably, there is the new lead character being Drebin’s son. This change opens a lot of possibilities once Neeson accepts the project. As an Oscar nominee, there is no doubt Neeson can deliver any role he takes to serve. In fact, should he accept the project, this will not be his first venture into the comedy genre. Considering that the lead character in the previous movies was actually serious about his job would be perfect for Neeson.
Still, as always, a lot of fans, who think that the original is already perfect as it is, will still question the need for a reboot. Even though movie or production companies can always just make a new movie, there is ease in marketing from a familiar franchise. Movie goers will already have an idea of what to expect. At the same time, they can inject differences for new audiences.
Familiarity nearly assures seats will be occupied in theaters once the movie premieres. For now, we wait.
