April 4, 2025 – Get ready to laugh! The first trailer for the Naked Gun remake dropped on April 3, 2025, at CinemaCon, showcasing Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. in a hilarious reboot of the classic comedy franchise. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, the film blends absurd humor with action-packed sequences, promising a fresh take on the beloved series when it hits theaters on August 1, 2025.
Liam Neeson, typically known for intense roles in films like Taken, takes on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic detective from the original Naked Gun trilogy. The Naked Gun trailer features Neeson in a schoolgirl uniform and polka-dot briefs, delivering slapstick comedy with a deadpan flair. “Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world!” the trailer proclaims, playfully referencing Neeson’s action-hero past, as noted in a summary of the trailer. Extended footage at CinemaCon, an annual convention for movie theater owners, earned roaring laughter, with Neeson beating a man with his own dismembered arms, according to a report on the event.
Akiva Schaffer, a member of The Lonely Island and director of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, helms the reboot, bringing his comedic expertise to the project. The film also stars Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Busta Rhymes, with a script co-written by Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand, as detailed in a breakdown of the production. Produced by Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins, the reboot aims to honor the original 1988 film, which grossed $140 million, and its two sequels, as reported in a historical overview of the franchise.
The trailer includes a nod to O.J. Simpson’s character Nordberg from the original films, adding a nostalgic touch, as highlighted in a review of the footage. “Liam Neeson in a skirt is the single most important trailer of the year—and maybe all time,” ComicBookMovie declared in a reaction to the trailer. In the U.S., where the Naked Gun films are a comedy staple—often referenced in pop culture discussions on platforms like X—the reboot has generated significant buzz, particularly in tech-savvy cities like San Francisco, where fans are eager to see how technology enhances modern filmmaking.
The Naked Gun remake taps into Hollywood’s nostalgia trend, a strategy that has also driven projects like the live-action Lilo & Stitch. Its use of modern filmmaking techniques, such as advanced CGI for comedic effects, reflects broader tech-driven trends in entertainment, while Neeson’s casting aligns with the industry’s shift toward action stars taking on new genres. As the Naked Gun reboot prepares to bring laughter to audiences, it’s poised to be a highlight of the 2025 summer movie season. For more on entertainment and tech trends, explore our coverage of decentralized apps and stay updated with Technocodex.
