Get ready for more laughs! The classic comedy movie series The Naked Gun is coming back with a brand new movie set to hit theaters on Friday, August 1, 2025. This new movie is a direct sequel to the original films and will see Liam Neeson stepping into the shoes of Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the hilarious character made famous by the late Leslie Nielsen.
New Drebin in Town
Liam Neeson, known for his action roles, is taking on his first big comedy lead role in this reboot. He will play Frank Drebin Jr., continuing the legacy of his father. Many fans are excited to see Neeson bring his own comedic style to this beloved franchise.
Familiar Funny Faces
Joining Neeson is a talented cast including Pamela Anderson, who will play Beth, likely Frank Drebin Jr.’s love interest. Paul Walter Hauser will star as Captain Ed Hocken Jr., the son of George Kennedy‘s character from the original movies. The cast also includes CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddy Yu, and Danny Huston.
Behind the Scenes
The new Naked Gun movie is being directed by Akiva Schaffer, who is known for his work with The Lonely Island and films like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and Ted, is also on board as a producer, which suggests the movie will have the same kind of silly and fast-paced humor that fans of the original series love. The screenplay is written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Akiva Schaffer.
What to Expect
While specific plot details are being kept secret, the first teaser trailer, shown at CinemaCon in April 2025, gives a hint of what’s to come. The trailer opens with a tense bank hostage situation, which quickly turns absurd when a little girl walks into the building, revealing herself to be Frank Drebin Jr. in disguise. The teaser also shows Drebin Jr. talking to a portrait of his father, saying “I love you.” Similarly, Paul Walter Hauser‘s character is seen speaking to a picture of his father, Captain Ed Hocken.
Just like the original Naked Gun movies, the reboot is expected to be a spoof of police movies, filled with visual gags and silly jokes. One particular joke in the trailer has already caught people’s attention: during a scene where police officers are kneeling before pictures of their fathers, the son of O.J. Simpson‘s character, Nordberg, looks at the camera and shakes his head. This acknowledges O.J. Simpson‘s role in the original trilogy, where he played the often-injured Detective Nordberg.
Release Date
Mark your calendars! The Naked Gun reboot is scheduled to premiere in theaters on August 1, 2025. It is one of several comedy sequels expected to be released that summer.
Remembering the Original
The original Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! came out in 1988 and was based on the short-lived TV series Police Squad! starring Leslie Nielsen as the lovable but clueless Detective Frank Drebin. The movie followed Drebin as he tried to stop an assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth II. Its success led to two sequels: The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). O.J. Simpson played Detective Nordberg in all three movies.
Also Read: Liam Neeson Reflects on Quitting Alcohol, Wishes He Stopped Sooner for His Sons’ Sake
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SOURCE: PEOPLE
