Neeson's turn as Frank Drebin Jr. in Paramount's reboot of The Naked Gun has reignited interest in slapstick comedies and brought new life to a classic franchise. The film's strong box office performance and overwhelmingly positive critical reception prompted speculation about possible sequels.
The Naked Gun reboot, which was released on Friday, accumulated over $28 million globally on its opening weekend -- $17 million in North America and $11.5 million internationally -- ranking among the most successful comedy releases of this decade. Despite these numbers and a high score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Neeson told Newsweek that he doesn't anticipate returning to the role for a sequel.
"I think it's a one-off, yeah," Neeson, 73, said of the franchise's future. "And if it succeeds, good."
Neeson stars as the son of Leslie Nielsen's iconic character Frank Drebin from the beloved trilogy of the 1980s and 1990s. Co-starring Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser, the reboot is directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane. It delivers a barrage of visual gags and slapstick humor reminiscent of the original films while introducing the franchise to a new generation.
"I think the film's going to have a few giggles and a few laughs in it, and God, we all need that at the minute," Neeson said. "I think it's probably a one-off. Not that the experience wasn't great, it was. It's terrific, working with Pamela, Danny Huston, all these terrific guys."
The reboot's response from critics has been overwhelmingly positive. The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey awarded the film four stars, calling it "a masterclass in buffoonery."
Rotten Tomatoes registered a very high rating for the film, making it one of the best-reviewed comedies of the 2020s, per Forbes.
The original 1988 film The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! was directed by David Zucker and starred Nielsen, Priscilla Presley and Ricardo Montalban. It grossed over $78 million domestically, per Box Office Mojo, and launched two sequels, solidifying its place as a comedy classic.
Producer Seth MacFarlane said of Neeson’s fit for the role, in an interview with The New York Times: “Liam is probably the only actor alive who in the 21st century could play Frank Drebin....[performers like Nielsen] were people who all had that gravitas that when you had them saying absurd things, it was just priceless since there was so much weight to what they were saying. We don’t make those kinds of actors in Hollywood anymore.”
Original franchise director David Zucker voiced disinterest in the reboot in an interview with Fox News Digital: “I don’t see any reason to see it.”
The possibility of a sequel remains uncertain. While strong box office receipts and critical acclaim could prompt studio interest in continuing the rebooted franchise, Neeson’s statements suggest fans should not expect him to reprise his role. If the franchise continues, it may do so with new talent.
In the meantime, the impact of The Naked Gun's return underscores both the viability of legacy comedy revivals and the enduring appeal of well-executed slapstick.