Liam Neeson will star in a 2025 reboot of a beloved comedy film series which last released a title over 30 years ago

Paramount Pictures has confirmed that The Naked Gun film series will be getting a reboot, with Liam Neeson slated to star in the main role. Taking over from Leslie Nielson, the Northern Irishman will be the face of the first Naked Gun film in over 30 years.

The film will be co-produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins, with Akiva Schaffer directing. July 18 (UK), 2025, has been announced as the date it will premiere with fans already excited about the new film.

Concrete talks to reboot the franchise have been underway since 2022 and Neeson himself has previously spoken about the potential to star in it.

In 2022, Neeson joked that it could make or break his career: “I’ve been approached by Seth MacFarlane and Paramount Studios to maybe resurrect the Naked Gun films. It’ll either finish my career or bring it in another direction. I honestly don’t know.”

Reacting to the new The Naked Gun films could return, fans took to X to express their views. Matt Jarbo wrote, although he’s sceptical of remakes, this has the potential be great: “As much as I’m not a big fan of remakes, and reboots, I feel like Liam Neeson playing this role as straight as Leslie Nielsen did will be pretty funny.”

Chris Voiceman explained that while Neeson has played comedy roles, he’s more well-known for serious characters, which could work in his favour. He explained: “Leslie Nielson exclusively acted in serious movies before Airplane.

As much as I don’t like needless reboots or remakes, choosing Liam Neeson instead of a more comedic actor already gives me hope that they understand what they’re doing.”
Meanwhile, Boberts227 posted: “This could be gold, as long as the reboot maintains the same slapstick, witty, over the top comedy as the original.” Other fans of the original were a little hesitant to get on board.

Ajoenamedjoe shouted: “WHY WOULD YOU REMAKE PERFECTION?” While Elbethium said: “Not sure how i feel about this.”

This won’t be the first time Neeson and Seth MacFarlane have worked together, after combining for A Million Ways To Die In The West, along with cameo appearances in Ted 2 and Orville. Neeson has also appeared in the comedies Life’s Too Short and Derry Girls, so The Naked Gun won’t be his first time out as a comedy actor.