Paramount recently announced a release date for a reboot of The Naked Gun franchise for 2025. However, co-creator David Zucker revealed that he is not involved in the project as the studio has not asked for his help. Despite his lack of involvement, Zucker expressed that he was not excited about having the franchise given to other people. With multiple attempts at reviving the franchise in the past, Zucker and his co-creators have been developing their own sequel since 2017. The franchise, known for its unique style of spoof, may face challenges with a new team taking over the reins.
Zucker expressed his surprise at not being involved in the reboot, especially since he believed they had a great script for a sequel. He noted that the studio has not contacted him for a cameo or involvement in the writing process. While he acknowledged that it is possible for someone else to bring their own style to the spoof genre, he emphasized the challenges involved in such projects. Zucker also mentioned that younger generations are discovering his movies, including The Naked Gun franchise, Airplane!, and BASEketball. He expressed uncertainty about whether a remake of The Naked Gun would attract new viewers to the original films.
The reboot of The Naked Gun franchise is set to be directed and written by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island, with Liam Neeson in talks to take over the lead role of Frank Drebin from the late Leslie Nielsen. Pamela Anderson has also been cast in a leading role, and WWE champ Cody Rhodes has landed an “important” role in the film. The original films, including The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, were co-written and directed by David Zucker. Despite not being directly involved in the reboot, Zucker’s influence is evident in the legacy of the franchise.
While Zucker acknowledged the potential for a new team to bring their own style to The Naked Gun reboot, he emphasized the years of experience and development that went into crafting the spoof genre. He cautioned against underestimating the challenges involved in creating successful spoofs, noting that it is not easy despite not being rocket science. Zucker also expressed uncertainty about whether the reboot would have a significant impact on attracting viewers to revisit the original films. With the release of the reboot scheduled for 2025, fans of The Naked Gun franchise will have the opportunity to see a new take on the classic spoof series.
Overall, the news of a reboot of The Naked Gun franchise has generated mixed reactions among fans, particularly with co-creator David Zucker not being involved in the project. While the new team led by director Akiva Schaffer may bring a fresh perspective to the franchise, there are concerns about capturing the essence of the original films. With the involvement of actors like Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, and Cody Rhodes, the reboot promises to introduce a new generation to the iconic spoof series. As the release date approaches, fans will eagerly anticipate the return of bumbling police officer Frank Drebin in a new era of slapstick comedy.
