Liam Neeson has built a career on his commanding presence and intense performances in action-packed thrillers. So when news broke that the Taken star would be leading the reboot of the beloved slapstick comedy The Naked Gun, fans weren’t quite sure what to make of it. The internet quickly buzzed with confusion, humor, and a fair amount of skepticism, as many questioned whether the Oscar-nominated actor is truly the right fit for such an over-the-top comedic role.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions the moment Neeson’s involvement was confirmed. The most frequent response? A mix of shock and disbelief. “Liam Neeson in The Naked Gun? Did someone pull a prank at the casting office?” read one viral post. Others echoed similar sentiments, asking, “Who picked this cast?” and “Is this for real or a late April Fool’s joke?”
For those familiar with the original Naked Gun trilogy — made famous by the late Leslie Nielsen — the films were masterclasses in absurd humor and satirical wit. Nielsen, with his perfectly deadpan delivery and natural comedic timing, became synonymous with the franchise’s tone. Fans argue that it’s a legacy not easily replicated, particularly by someone known more for stoic vengeance than slapstick humor.
Liam Neeson, though, is no stranger to self-parody. Over the past decade, he’s shown an ability to poke fun at his own image in shows like Life’s Too Short and Ted 2, where he delivered hilariously serious cameos. Supporters of the reboot believe this project might just be his way of flipping the script on his tough-guy persona. “People underestimate Liam’s range,” one fan defended on X (formerly Twitter). “Remember, Leslie Nielsen wasn’t a comedic actor before Airplane! either. Look how that turned out.”
Despite the divided response, the reboot has strong comedic minds behind it. Produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and directed by Lonely Island alum Akiva Schaffer, the new Naked Gun promises a fresh approach while staying true to the original’s outrageous charm. Neeson is reportedly playing the son of Nielsen’s character, Lt. Frank Drebin, taking the baton — and the badge — into a new generation.
Industry insiders say Neeson was not just cast for shock value. According to reports, his audition and test reads surprised even the most skeptical executives. “He leaned into the ridiculousness of it all,” said one anonymous source. “And that’s exactly what made the original so iconic — serious actors doing completely ridiculous things.”
Still, fans remain cautiously optimistic. While some can’t quite imagine Neeson fumbling through banana peels and absurd dialogue, others are warming up to the idea. “Maybe this is exactly the unexpected twist the franchise needs,” another commenter noted. “It worked for Nielsen, maybe Neeson will pull it off too.”
Only time will tell if the action star can win over the loyalists of comedy’s most outrageous police spoof. For now, the casting continues to spark debates, memes, and curiosity — which might be just what the filmmakers wanted.
