Original Naked Gun Creator Shifts Tone on Liam Neeson Reboot
David Zucker Praises Film’s Success After Initial Skepticism
The mastermind behind the beloved “Naked Gun” franchise, David Zucker, has softened his stance on the recent reboot starring Liam Neeson, expressing delight at its positive critical reception and strong box office performance.
From Skepticism to Conciliation
Initially vocal about his disapproval and exclusion from the new film’s production, Zucker has adopted a more amiable outlook following the reboot’s successful debut. He admitted to the Hollywood Reporter that he had previously felt “not excited about having the franchise given to other people.”
“People are liking it, which is great. I really like the director, and I just couldn’t wish him more well. I texted him already, saying, ‘I hear the reviews are great, and it’s tracking well.’ He was very happy to hear from me, and we’ll probably get together later in the month when the smoke clears.”
—David Zucker
Zucker also highlighted the broader implications of the film’s success, stating, “I’m excited about it because it just shows that there’s a strong market for comedy in movie theatres, and spoof in particular.” This sentiment comes after he had previously expressed his dissatisfaction, even comparing the film’s trailer to the graphic “2 Girls 1 Cup” internet meme, stating, “I can’t unsee it.”
Franchise Legacy and Studio Decisions
The original director’s comments come after he and co-creator brother Jerry Zucker had their own pitch for a fourth installment, focusing on Frank Drebin’s son, rejected by the studio. Zucker revealed that he was never approached for a cameo or any involvement in the new project.
Despite his changed tune on the film’s reception, Zucker maintains his personal decision not to watch the new “Naked Gun,” adhering to his policy of not viewing sequels to his work made by others. He informed director Akiva Schaffer of this intention, even after being invited to an early screening.
“He actually invited me to come see an early cut of it, but I told him there’s nothing I could do to help because it really isn’t what I would have done. That’s not to say that he didn’t actually end up doing a good movie. But I don’t think I could help with that.”
—David Zucker
Zucker also shared that producer Seth MacFarlane had contacted him post-script completion, a conversation he found disarming. “I can’t get mad at anyone who will tell me what a genius I am,” Zucker quipped, though he ultimately declined to lend his name to the project.
The new “Naked Gun” film, featuring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., alongside Pamela Anderson and Danny Huston, has been met with a largely positive critical response. One review lauded it as “amiably ridiculous, refreshingly shallow, entirely pointless and guilelessly crass.” The film’s success underscores the enduring appeal of slapstick comedy, with box office tracking suggesting strong audience turnout for the genre. For instance, last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” another franchise revival, also saw significant opening weekend success, indicating continued audience appetite for nostalgic comedy franchises (Variety, 2024).
