Neeson ‘honoured but nervous’ to take on iconic Nielsen role in Naked Gun reboot
BALLYMENA actor Liam Neeson has admitted he is a “little bit nervous” about his upcoming role in the long-awaited reboot of The Naked Gun franchise.
The Taken actor will play the lead role of Frank Drebin, memorably played by the late Leslie Nielsen in the original series.
However, 71-year-old Neeson said the prospect of carrying on Nielsen’s legacy has got him slightly worried.
Speaking to Collider, Neeson said: “Well, obviously, the script has got to be funny and have a kind of a theme, a kind of a story, albeit quite loose, going through the script rather than just a series of gags, which can get boring very, very quickly.
“I’m honoured to be offered the part of Frank Drebin and a little bit nervous about it, because I’ve done a couple of skits before that were just very short TV things, but this would be, I don’t know, 95, 100 minutes of a film.
“They’re still casting it, so hopefully my other cast members will be funny and sexy so that I could just be dead absolutely straight. There has to be lots of visual gags going on too.
“I’ll do my own thing. “I remember Leslie very well. I love those films, especially that first Airplane!. You know: ‘Don’t call me Shirley.’
“Just that line alone, I think, changed Leslie’s career, up until he passed away.”
Paramount has confirmed a release date of July 18, 2025, for the remake, which will be directed and executive produced by Akiva Schaffer, who co-wrote the draft script with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand.
It will be produced by Family Guy creator Seth Mcfarlane and the Fuzzy Door production company.
The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! is a slapstick comedy following the exploits of Lieutenant Frank Drebin as he tries to foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth.
Released in 1988, it spawned a number of sequels and a brief TV show, while rumours of a reboot have circulated since 2009, with reports The Naked Gun 4: Rhythm Of Evil was in development but put on the back burner following Nielsen’s death.
Neeson committed to the lead role after being approached by Mcfarlane at a time when the Taken star was considering retiring from acting.