MOVIE NEWS – In the upcoming reboot-sequel of the Naked Gun series, Liam Neeson steps into the shoes of the legendary detective as the son of Lt. Frank Drebin, originally played by Leslie Nielsen. The trailer is already out, and David Zucker, director of the original three Naked Gun films, has shared his thoughts.

“We wouldn’t have done it that way”, Zucker told Fox News Digital.

The original Naked Gun films were indeed made in a different cinematic era, and it has just been revealed that a fourth installment was once planned after the trilogy. In the interview, Zucker explained that the final entry in the old series would have adapted to the trends of its time by parodying blockbuster franchises like Mission: Impossible, The Bourne Identity, and the never-ending goldmine that is James Bond. Zucker and his team had envisioned a younger Drebin in that version — but their protagonist would have been genuinely young.

Meanwhile, Digital Spy argues that Liam Neeson is exactly the kind of actor needed not only to revive the franchise but to breathe new life into the parody film genre itself.

The Naked Gun – release date: August 7, 2025.