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Liam Neeson, the 72-year-old veteran actor known for his dramatic roles and action-packed thrillers, is stepping into comedic territory with Paramount’s eagerly awaited reboot of the beloved NAKED GUN franchise.

The first footage, released on April 3rd, reveals Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., carrying on the legacy of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic character from the original spoof police movies. This marks a fascinating evolution in Neeson’s career, which has seen remarkable transformations since his Oscar-nominated performance in 1993’s SCHINDLER’S LIST. Following that critical acclaim, Neeson found unexpected success in action films, particularly the TAKEN series (2008-2014), establishing himself as a formidable presence in the genre despite his advancing age. Even after suggestions he might retire from action roles,

Neeson continued starring in straight action movies, most recently appearing in 2024’s ABSOLUTION. This new comedic turn represents yet another surprising pivot for the versatile actor. The teaser trailer introduces Neeson’s character as considerably more polished than his bumbling father, showcasing a memorable scene where he disguises himself as a schoolgirl, disarms a villain with a sharpened lollipop, and delivers the menacing line “Your ass” when asked what he wants. The action sequence culminates with Neeson in a power pose, his strawberry-themed boxers prominently displayed—a clear nod to the franchise’s signature absurdist humor. In a touching moment, Neeson’s character addresses a photograph of Drebin Sr., honoring his father described on a plaque as the “all-time bad guy catcher.” Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane of TED fame, the reboot also stars Pamela Anderson, who shared warm words about working with Neeson: “It was hard to keep a straight face in scenes together.” For his part, Neeson expressed admiration for Anderson, telling PEOPLE in October 2024, “With Pamela, first off, I’m madly in love with her. She’s just terrific to work with. I can’t compliment her enough.” Despite his impressive track record, Neeson remains characteristically humble about his ability to carry the comedic torch, admitting, “Whether I can carry it or not, I honestly don’t know.”

The original NAKED GUN trilogy was both a critical darling and commercial powerhouse, earning $166 million at the box office while cultivating a devoted following through home entertainment and streaming platforms. The franchise’s co-creator Jim Abrahams passed away last year, while Nielsen himself died in 2010, making this reboot both a continuation and a tribute to the iconic series that revolutionized spoof comedy. As the promotional tagline cleverly notes—nodding to Neeson’s famous TAKEN monologue—”Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world.” Whether those skills translate to comedy remains to be seen, but this unexpected career move further cements Neeson’s status as one of Hollywood’s most adaptable and enduring performers, continually reinventing himself decades into his remarkable career.