Liam Neeson can do basically anything. While there was some mild surprise when his career veered into action with TAKEN, there was no doubt that Neeson could tackle hard-hitting stuff as well as he could handle big drama. Neeson also has great comic timing, and so far we have only occasionally seen filmmakers taking advantage of that skillset.
Now Neeson is set to lead the new NAKED GUN movie, and we can't wait to see how he approaches the series' signature slapstick and pun-laden comedy. He's working with part of the Lonely Island team as well as "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, which sets up THE NAKED GUN to be one of the biggest comedies of 2025. Here's everything we know.
What's the New Naked Gun Release Date?
Paramount Pictures will release THE NAKED GUN in theaters on August 1, 2025.
Is There a Trailer for the New Naked Gun?
No footage from THE NAKED GUN has been released to the public. Filming wrapped at the end of June 2024, so there's a chance we'll see something well before the end of the year.
Is the New Naked Gun a Reboot or a Sequel?
This is a good question, and the answer seems to be: Both! Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebbin, Jr., which sets him up as the son of Detective Frank Drebin, played by the late Leslie Nielsen in the original "Police Squad!" series and in the three previous NAKED GUN movies.
But since there has not been a new NAKED GUN movie since 1994, and this one is being made by a new team of filmmakers, by default it will also be a reboot.
Who Is Making the New Naked Gun Movie?
THE NAKED GUN is directed by Akiva Schaffer, who is best known for being part of the Lonely Island comedy team. Schaffer directed a lot of material for "Saturday Night Live" and "I Think You Should Leave," and made movies like HOT ROD and POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING.
Schaffer co-wrote THE NAKED GUN with Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Mark Hentemann, and Alec Sulkin. The story for the film is by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, who also produces the movie with Erica Huggins. Much of this movie's writing team is made up of "Family Guy" veterans, and Dan Gregor is a longtime "How I Met Your Mother" writer.
Who's in The Naked Gun Cast?
As mentioned, Liam Neeson stars as Frank Drebin, Jr. with Pamela Anderson co-starring. Paul Walter Hauser appears as Capt. Ed Hocken, and the cast also features Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes.
It's early enough that we don't know anything about the roles most of the actors play — and there will certainly be a lot more names revealed in the months to come. Given Schaffer's involvement with "I Think You Should Leave," we hope that Tim Robinson gets a place in the roster!
THE NAKED GUN opens on August 1, 2025.
All images courtesy of Open Road Films.