Liam Neeson is known for roles as a tough action hero. Now he surprises with a comic role such as the bumbling police eagle Drebin Jr. in the new The Naked Gun . How does the 73-year-old actor himself look at this turn in his career?
The Naked Gun is a sequel to the original series with Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin. Neeson now plays the son of Drebin. What the new film is about is not known. But viewers can count on a police parody full of jokes, just like the earlier films.
“Only one man has the specific skills … to lead a police team and save the world! Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. follows in his father’s footsteps,” is the synopsis of the film.
Neeson took the role because he misses lightness in the film world. “Just before Christmas, I was leaving my sons through all Oscar nominations. We were looking for something crazy, a stupid film that we could laugh at,” the tasks actor tells The Hollywood Reporter . “Of course there was nothing, they were all heavy films.”
When Naked Gun producer Seth Macfarlane ( Family Guy and Ted ) Neeson asked for the leading role, he didn’t have to think long. “I thought I could do it, as long as I would take it very seriously and try not to imitate Nielsen.”
Yet Neeson suddenly finds it exciting to appear in a comedy. “I feel honored that I can play the role, but I am also a bit nervous about it,” he tells Collider .
The Northern Irish actor was previously shown in short comedysketches and he had a small role in the comedy film Ted 2 . But a long comic feature film is not yet on his resume. “I hope the rest of the cast is funny and sexy, then I can just be dead serious.”
For Neeson it was also important that the script would be well put together. “It had to be a story, not just a series of jokes. That can be boring. There are really a few hilarious moments in it,” he promises. “Because Akiva Schaffer directs the film, he comes from the Saturday Night Live world.”
The first two films of The Naked Gun series are directed by David Zucker. To his great disappointment, he was not asked for the new film. In 2018, Zucker, together with his partners, submitted a script for a new Naked Gun film, but received no response from the studio. “I watched the trailer of the new film and I was right already,” the director told TMZ earlier.
Actors such as Busta Rhymes, Kevin Durand and Paul Walter Hauser can also be seen in the comedy film. The role of Beth, who may still know some viewers from the first film when the role was played by Priscilla Presley, is now being played by Pamela Anderson. The 58-year-old actress made a special impression on Neeson.
“I am completely in love with Pamela,” he tells People . “She’s just great to work with. I can’t compliment her enough. She’s getting fantastic in the movie.”
Neeson thinks The Naked Gun will be appreciated by the fans of the original film series. “This film has the same tone as its predecessors,” he tells Ihollywoodtv . “Hopefully the audience will giggle a lot.”
The Naked Gun will be in the cinema from July 31.
Liam Neeson is Known for Roles as a Tough Action Hero. Now he surprises with a comedic role as the clumsy police lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. In The New The Naked Gun . How does the 73-year-old actor view this turn in his career?
The Naked Gun is a sequel to the original series starring Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin. Neeson Now Plays Drebin’s Son. What the New Film is Exactly About is Unknown. But Viewers Can Expect A Police Parody Full Of Jokes, Just Like The Earlier Movies.
“Only one man possesses the specific skills … to lead a police team and save the world! Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. Follows in His Father’s Footsteps,” Reads the Synopsis of the Film.
Neeson Tok on the role because he misses lightness in the film world. “Just before Christmas I was browsing through all the oscar nominations with my sons. We were looking for something crazy, a dumb movie we could laugh at,” the tasks actor tells the hollywood reporter . “Or Course There was Nothing, they were all serious movies.”
When Naked Gun producer Seth Macfarlane ( Family Guy and Ted ) Asked Neeson for the Lead Role, heyd’t Have To Think Long. “I thought i could do it, as long as I toky it very seriously and didnn’t try to imitation nielsen.”
Yet Neeson Findes It Exciting to Suddenly Appear in a Comedy. “I feel honored to play the role, but I’m also a bit nervous about it,” he tells collider .
The Northern Irish Actor HAS Previously Appeared in Short Comedy Sketches and He had a Small Role in the Comedy Film Ted 2 . But a long comedic feature film is not yet on his resume. “I hope the rest of the cast is funny and sexy, then I can just be dead serious.”
For Neeson, it was also important that the script was well well together. “It had to be a story, not just a series of jokes. That can get boring. There are really a few hilarous moments in it,” he promises. “Because Akiva Schaffer is directing the film, the Comes from the Saturday night live world.”
The First Two Films of the Naked Gun Series Were Directed by David Zucker. To his great disappointment, he was not asked for the new film. In 2018, Zucker and his Partners Submitted A Script For A New Naked Gun Film, But Received No Response From The Studio. “I Watched the Trailer for the New Film and I immediately regretted it,” the director Said Earlier to TMZ .
ACTORS SUCH AS Busta Rhymes, Kevin Durand and Paul Walter Hauser Can also be Seen in the Comedy Film. The Role of Beth, which some viewers May Still Know from the first movie when the role was played by Priscilla Presley, is now played by Pamela Anderson. The 58-Year-old Actress Made a Special Impression on Neeson.
“I’m completely in love with pamela,” he tells people . “She’s just great to work with. I can’t compliment her enough. She’s going to be fantastic in the film.”
Neeson Thinks That the Naked Gun Will Appeal to Fans of the Original Film Series. “This film has the same tone as its predecessors,” he tells ihollywoodtv . “Hopefully the audience will giggle a lot.”
The Naked Gun will be released in theaters from July 31.