Seth MacFarlane Reveals Why Liam Neeson Is Perfect for the New Naked Gun!

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As a fellow film enthusiast, it’s likely you primarily recognized Leslie Nielsen for his hilarious roles in comedy. Following his appearance in David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker’s “Airplane!”, he became a legend in parody films, and he continued to star in comedic masterpieces like the “Naked Gun” trilogy until his passing in 2010. However, before 1980, Nielsen was widely recognized as the serious lead in movies such as “Forbidden Planet” and “The Poseidon Adventure”. It was indeed this mid-career genre shift that sparked producer Seth MacFarlane‘s decision to cast no one other than Liam Neeson in the upcoming “Naked Gun” sequel.

The skill of actors to play their characters seriously amidst increasingly absurd circumstances is crucial in a satire film, and it’s advantageous when there’s a sense of weight or solemnity in the performance (like Leslie Nielsen repeatedly entering the cockpit in the third act of “Airplane!” to deliver stern words such as, “I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on you.”). In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Seth MacFarlane emphasized that Liam Neeson is exceptionally suited for the role of Frank Drebin Jr., due to the exceptional quality he brings to his acting.

Liam Neeson stands out among contemporary actors as the one who could emulate Leslie Nielsen’s unique style, mainly because such performers are no longer commonly found in Hollywood today. On screen, he is larger than life and yet remarkably authentic, a combination that isn’t often seen but which Neeson excels at brilliantly.

More Naked Gun!

I’ve discovered that Pamela Anderson from ‘The Naked Gun’ series had a link to the franchise prior to her joining the movies. It’s fascinating how everything turned out so perfectly!

In several films, Liam Neeson’s intense seriousness can be downright chilling… however, just a bit of adjustment makes for some hilarious moments. As the Entertainment Weekly article points out, this was most effectively demonstrated in a 2011 episode of the comedy series “Life’s Too Short.” This episode features Neeson passionately asserting his comedic talents during a meeting with Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Warwick Davis.

It is clear from his selection of Neil Neeson for roles in movies like Ted 2, A Million Ways To Die In The West, The Orville, and Family Guy episodes that Seth MacFarlane appreciates and showcases Neeson’s comedic abilities. This choice to cast Neeson as the lead in The Naked Gun can be traced back to a satirical approach championed by filmmakers David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. According to MacFarlane, this strategy is what drove the casting decision.

Among the essential principles for the Zucker brothers was always avoiding comedians in their casting choices. Instead, they preferred to engage serious, dramatically skilled actors who exuded a significant sense of weight or importance, and Liam certainly possesses this quality in abundance.

It won’t take much longer until we can enjoy the unique seriousness of that comedy being showcased. Starring Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston and others, The Naked Gun has a release date set for August 1, and it will be screening in cinemas nationwide.

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2025-07-11 01:09