The Naked Gun Teaser Trailer

Now, here’s a curveball no one saw coming—The Naked Gun franchise is officially making a comeback! For decades, the slapstick comedy series, originally headlined by the incomparable Leslie Nielsen, seemed to have retired into cinematic history. Adding to the franchise’s complications was O.J. Simpson’s involvement in the original films, which left an unfortunate stain on its legacy.

But Hollywood is never one to let a good franchise rest forever, and this reboot aims to breathe new life into the beloved parody series while leaving behind the baggage of the past. The mission? To bring The Naked Gun back to its absurd, over-the-top comedic glory. And who better to step into the role of the bumbling yet oddly effective cop than a man best known for delivering threats over the phone? Enter Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original accident-prone detective, stepping into his father’s larger-than-life shoes.

The film is helmed by Akiva Schaffer, a Saturday Night Live veteran with a knack for outrageous comedy (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the mastermind behind Ted and Family Guy, ensuring that this reboot won’t hold back on the laughs. The cast is packed with notable names, including Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston, making for a star-studded return to the world of chaotic law enforcement.

Early footage from the film teases a tone that should feel right at home with fans of the original. One particularly outrageous scene features Neeson using a criminal’s dismembered arms as weapons—a gag that feels like a natural fit for The Naked Gun’s brand of ridiculous action. And in true franchise fashion, the reboot will play with expectations in hilariously unexpected ways, as seen in an awkwardly suggestive scene between Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s character that might not be what it seems. The film even nods to the franchise’s history with a reference to Nordberg, the character originally portrayed by O.J. Simpson.

Will this new iteration of The Naked Gun live up to the legendary antics of its predecessors? That remains to be seen. But with Neeson’s signature deadpan delivery, a strong creative team, and a commitment to absurdity, fans might just get the revival they never knew they needed.

In theatres August 1st.