The upcoming reboot ofThe Naked Gunsounds like it could tickle the funny bones of many moviegoers, but it hasn’t exactly enamored itself to the original movie’s creators. As a shining example of late ‘80s and ‘90s slapstick and innuendo-packed comedies,The Naked Gunfranchise did not concern itself with anything other than making a large audience laugh with its ridiculous visual humor and wordplay. Now it seems thatLiam Neeson is set to step into the shoes of Leslie Neilsen, playing Lt. Frank Drebin’s son in a reboot produced byFamily Guycreator Seth MacFarlane.
In a recent interview withThe Hollywood Reporter,co-creatorDavid Zuckerand writer Pat Proft revealed that they were originally set to write the fourth movie in the franchise, but were replaced when a female Paramount exec didn’t like the inclusion of a “stupid, mild joke.” Zucker explained that the rejection of their script came after things seemed to be moving along well. He said:
“Pat, Mike and I wrote a script for Naked Gun 4, and we heard Jon Gonda at Paramount had read the script and laughed all the way through it, but somewhere along the line, they decided not to go with Pat and Mike and me. So that’s when they got Seth MacFarlane, and he has Akiva Schaffer directing Liam Neeson. I was never able to meet with Seth.
About four years ago, Pat and I had one meeting over at Paramount with the then-head of production there. It was a woman who complained about some joke that Pat and I wrote about a police officer having to adjust her Kevlar vest or have a breast reduction or something. It’s just a stupid, mild joke, but that was too much for them. So I can’t even imagine how they’re limiting whoever does Naked Gun 4, if they’re that frightened.”
However, Zucker went on to say that despite not being used in the newNaked Gunmovie, their script will still be seen, as it has been reworked into an original film. He added:
We’re not involved, and we’ve repurposed what was going to be Naked Gun 4 — as we called it, Counterintelijence, spelled with one L and a J — and we’re going to go out with that one.
Related:Naked Gun Director Says Hollywood is Destroying Comedy To Please ‘The 9% Without a Sense of Humor’
The Naked Gun’s Original Writer Shares His View on the Reboot
While David Zucker has accepted thatThe Naked Gunfranchise will be carrying on without his involvement, writer Proft is not quite as happy to move on, and has a grim view of what will happen to the reboot under its new management. He said:
“I’m not happy — and there’s a story with it, but I’m not pleased. It may come out and may be great — and good for that — but I sure as fck should be writing it. I should have done this one… We’ve been totally blocked out of it. The unfortunate part of it is that Paramount owns it, so they can do what they fcking want. So that’s it.”
Despite changing times and the “offensive” nature of some of the franchise’s humor, the legacy ofThe Naked Gunremains intact. Based on the failed TV seriesPolice Squad, the original trilogy started withthe 1988 filmThe Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!,which was followed by two sequels in 1991 and 1994. A commercial success and huge hit with audiences, the original movie made a lasting impression on the world of film, with its influence being clear in many other comedy movies, butrarely being replicated today.
Details about the reboot are still under wraps, althoughNeeson has spoken a few times about his excitementto be part of the project. For now though, the only way to get yourNaked Gunfix is through the original movies, which are currently streaming on Max or Paramount+ depending on your location.
