Latest news with #PoliceSquad
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Host of UFC personalities appear in new trailer for 'The Naked Gun' reboot
Host of UFC personalities appear in new trailer for 'The Naked Gun' reboot More than 30 years after the character last appeared on the big screen, a legendary cop returns in a few weeks – sort of. Lt. Frank Drebin is back in legacy sequel of "The Naked Gun," but it's as Frank Jr., played by Liam Neeson, and not Leslie Nielsen. The movie arrives in theaters Aug. 1 – and it will have a strong UFC presence, too. For a few quick frames in the new trailer for the film, Neeson can be seen punching out UFC announcer Bruce Buffer and longtime referee and former Bellator analyst John McCarthy while a broadcast team including UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik and commentator Michael Bisping call the action. "The Naked Gun" will be the fourth film in the franchise. The original was released in 1988, starring Nielsen and Priscilla Presley, and was based on the 1980s police spoof TV series "Police Squad." Two sequels, "The Naked Gun 2 1/2" and "The Naked Gun 33 1/3," were released in 1991 and 1994. The new version stars Neeson as the son of Nielsen's Drebin; Pamela Anderson as his love interest; Paul Walter Houser as Drebin Sr.'s former partner's son; and even WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes. The film is directed by Akiva Schaffer of "Saturday Night Live" and The Lonely Island fame, and counts "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane among its production team. Check out the trailer above. What lands at No. 1 on our chart? The best (and worst!) MMA movies (and TV series) of all time
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Fans question Liam Neeson's casting in The Naked Gun: ‘Who picked this cast?'
Liam Neeson is back — and he's bringing the slapstick. Best known for brooding thrillers like Taken (2008), Neeson leads the Police Squad in this modern retelling of the beloved franchise originally created by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. The film pays homage to the 1988 cult classic The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! — which famously featured O.J. Simpson as Nordberg — and aims to revive its goofy, deadpan tone for a new generation. The actor stars alongside Pamela Anderson in the reboot and the trailer just dropped to very mixed reactions. Fans of the original aren't impressed. Many online feel Neeson's casting is a total misfire. 'Bad choice. I love Liam, but he can't play this part. You need someone naturally funny for this role, not an action movie icon,' wrote one commenter. Another fan was more blunt: 'Certain movies should not be remade. This is one of them.'Others slammed the trailer for missing the franchise's signature tone and feel. One more comment read, 'The jokes aren't funny — or they're recycled from other movies.' Some fans were tremendously disappointed saying, 'This doesn't even come close to the original. Who picked this cast?' Still, some are holding on to hope, even if cautiously:'The Naked Gun is my ALL-TIME fav, I end up with my jaw hurting from laughing every single time. I'm going to give this the benefit of the doubt, but the trailer didn't convince me tbh... it needs the police car start and the music!!!! Some jokes are really cringe.' While the reactions on the trailer are not the best, one thing's for sure — it's got everyone talking.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Naked Gun Reboot: All We Know About Liam Neeson's Comedy Comeback Including Release Date, Cast, Plot and More
Paramount is bringing back the classic The Naked Gun franchise with a new installment, set to release in theaters on August 1, 2025. This reboot is being described as a 'legacy sequel' and features Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen's original character from the earlier films. Directed by Akiva Schaffer (SNL, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, Ted), the new film brings a fresh take on the spoof-comedy legacy that began in 1988. Alongside Neeson, the cast features Pamela Anderson as a mysterious femme fatale named Beth, and Paul Walter Hauser as Captain Ed Hocken Jr., the son of George Kennedy's character from the original films. The ensemble also includes Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, Busta Rhymes, and Eddy Yu. Here's what the new trailer reveals Paramount dropped the new The Naked Gun trailer on June 16. Liam Neeson's version of Drebin appears to embrace slapstick comedy while poking fun at his famous 'particular set of skills' from the Taken films. In one scene, Drebin says, "Once you kill a man for revenge, there's no going back," before using ripped-off arms as weapons. He follows that up with a voiceover: "That was awesome." We also see emotional nods to the franchise's legacy as Frank and Ed Jr. stand in front of commemorative plaques honoring their fathers. In one classic joke, Drebin interrogates a suspect who served 20 years for 'man's laughter,' only to be corrected that it was 'manslaughter.' Drebin replies: "Must have been quite the joke." In this new story, Frank Drebin Jr. is a top officer in the elite Police Squad. He's pulled into action when Beth's brother is murdered, and the squad's future is on the line. If Drebin fails to solve the case, the department will be shut down. Of course, the absurd humor remains intact, with Drebin even commandeering a coffee shop restroom for 'police business.' The original The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! released in 1988 and was followed by two sequels: The Smell of Fear (1991) and The Final Insult (1994). A reboot was first announced in 2013 with Ed Helms, but it never moved forward. Director David Zucker, who helmed the original films, declined involvement, saying it would only be inferior. While he was briefly part of a 2017 rewrite, that version also stalled. Zucker isn't involved in the current project and told TMZ he regretted watching the teaser, saying, "I can't unsee it."
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Trailer of 'The Naked Gun' featuring Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson released by Paramount India
Paramount Pictures India dropped the official trailer of Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson's starrer, The Naked Gun, on Tuesday. Directed by Akiva Schaffee, the film hits Indian theatres on August plot of the story is about the only man who has the particular set of skills... to lead Police Squad and save the world. Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., played by Liam Neeson, follows in his father's footsteps in The Naked Gun, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy)..Neeson brings a fresh twist to the beloved film series, channelling his father's comedic legacy while adding his unique flair for chaos and physical the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu and Danny film is directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins. Schaffer wrote the script with Dan Gregor and Doug film also features Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston. Paramount Pictures India will release the film on August 1st.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Naked Gun' trailer: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson team up in franchise reboot
Paramount has unveiled the full trailer for its upcoming Naked Gun reboot, giving fans a first real look at Liam Neeson stepping into the world of slapstick comedy as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. The film, directed by Akiva Schaffer, hits theaters on August 1. Neeson takes on the role of the bumbling but determined son of Police Squad legend Frank Drebin, the character made famous by the late Leslie Nielsen. He's joined by Pamela Anderson, who plays Beth — a woman seeking Drebin's help after the mysterious death of her brother. Also featured in the reboot's cast are Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Runnels, and CCH Pounder. The film promises the deadpan comedy in keeping with the original Naked Gun franchise. A callback to Nordberg — the character played by O.J. Simpson in the earlier films — pops up in the footage as well. The script was written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who previously collaborated with Schaffer on the Emmy-winning Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins produce the project. Paramount Pictures India releases the film on August 1st.
