Can Liam Neeson pull off a ‘Naked Gun’ reboot? Fans divided over how actor compares with Leslie Nielsen

'Liam Neeson is just an okay actor with kind of a limited acting range', someone argued on Twitter

PUBLISHED OCT 14, 2022

Instead of portraying Leslie Nielsen's iconic Detective Frank Drebin, Liam Neeson will play his son (Getty Images and still from Naked Gun)

Internet users have been left divided after news came out that Paramount Pictures is planning a ‘Naked Gun’ reboot with Liam Neeson in the lead. The new film will reportedly be directed by Akiva Schaffer. Dan Gregor and Doug Mand have apparently been roped in to write the script of the new project.

The Deadline reported that “Schaffer also will exec produce. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing via their company Fuzzy Door.” Not much has yet been revealed about the new movie’s storyline but it has been reported that instead of portraying Leslie Nielsen's iconic Detective Frank Drebin, Neeson will play his son.

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Actor Liam Neeson attends the 'Marlowe' photocall during the 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival at the Kursaal Palace on September 24, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

The first movie of the franchise came in 1988, titled ‘The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!’. The second installment, ‘The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear’ was released in 1991 while the third – ‘Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult’ — hit theaters in 1994. As per reports, discussions to reboot the franchise have been happening following Nielsen’s death in 2010, but seeing the success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, “development began ramping up on a new ‘Naked Gun’,” the publication added.

But it seems fans of the franchise are not really happy with the development as a user tweeted, “Really? What's next? Jeremy Irons and Vin Diesel as the new Jay and Silent Bob? @ThatKevinSmith.” Another wrote, “That's how reboots work These days. You ape off of a beloved IP, and just try to Cash in on the Fans and unknowing people. I doubt the movie will be anything but terrible.” A third said, “Smh. How terrible has Liam Neesons career become ? Such a distinguished dramatic actor to this. And the worst is that this might actually be an upgrade from the junk he’s been putting out.”

Actor Leslie Nielsen attends Paramount Pictures' "90 Stars for 90 Years" Anniversary Celebration at the Paramount Pictures Studios on July 14, 2002 in Hollywood, California (Robert Mora/Getty Images)

Really? What's next? Jeremy Irons and Vin Diesel as the new Jay and Silent Bob? @ThatKevinSmith
— Rich Caron (@Monsterzero71) October 13, 2022

Thats how reboots wirk These days. You ape off of a beloved IP, and just try to Cash in on the Fans and unknowing people. I doubt the movie will be anything but terrible.
— Sino The Awoken (@Sinonymtheonly) October 14, 2022

Smh. How terrible has Liam Neesons career become ? Such a distinguished dramatic actor to this. And the worst is that this might actually be an upgrade from the junk he’s been putting out
— DP (@DarthImpervious) October 13, 2022

“😬🙄😩 Nobody wants a "Naked Gun" remake. Even IF they did, nobody can ever compare to Leslie Nielson because he was a legend. Liam Neeson is just an okay actor with kind of a limited acting range. Also, Leslie was way more handsome than Liam, even well into his later years,” someone shared. Another added, “I just can't picture it. For one thing, Liam's acting range isn't that great. Secondly, no offense to Liam but: Leslie Neilson was a handsome guy who could ROCK a suit. Liam looks like a smirking, constipated hobo in a suit and can't control his facial expressions well. 🤪🧟‍♂️😂.”

😬🙄😩 Nobody wants a "Naked Gun" remake. Even IF they did, nobody can ever compare to Leslie Nielson because he was a legend.

Liam Neeson is just an okay actor with kind of a limited acting range. Also, Leslie was way more handsome than Liam, even well into his later years.
— Random Snake Facts (@random_snakes) October 13, 2022

Actor Leslie Nielsen arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Anchor Bay Entertainment's 'Stan Helsing' on October 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California (Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images)

I just can't picture it. For one thing, Liam's acting range isn't that great. Secondly, no offense to Liam but: Leslie Neilson was a handsome guy who could ROCK a suit. Liam looks like a smirking, constipated hobo in a suit and can't control his facial expressions well. 🤪🧟‍♂️😂 pic.twitter.com/KYiOwdgkrE
— Random Snake Facts (@random_snakes) October 14, 2022

Liam can pull of being deadly serious in goofy situations. Look at Darkman.
— Ozzman313 (@Ozzman313) October 14, 2022

However, there were a few who supported Neeson’s speculated casting as a person said, “Liam can pull of being deadly serious in goofy situations. Look at Darkman.” Another tweeted, “Literally my first thought after seeing this. Liam Neeson is a perfect fit to match Leslie Nielsen’s type of humour based off this clip alone.” “Yeah, Leslie Nielsen was the master at not being in on the joke. That's what made Frank Drebin so funny. It's hard to picture Neeson in that role, but hopefully we'll be surprised…” a tweet read.

Literally my first thought after seeing this. Liam Neeson is a perfect fit to match Leslie Nielsen’s type of humour based off this clip alone.
— Tequila Mockingbird (@tequilamknbrd) October 13, 2022

Yeah, Leslie Nielsen was the master at not being in on the joke. That's what made Frank Drebin so funny. It's hard to picture Neeson in that role, but hopefully we'll be surprised...
— 💀Dexter Smythe’s Apparition 👻 (@SmytheMajor) October 13, 2022

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.