Schaffer’s Nostalgia and Initial Skepticism
Writer and director Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and The Lonely Island, has mixed feelings about the upcoming 2025 reboot of the beloved “Naked Gun” trilogy, which originally aired from 1988 to 1994. Having grown up watching the series countless times, Schaffer admits that his apprehension stemmed from a deep appreciation for the original films.
“I definitely thought it was a bad idea,” Schaffer stated during a recent episode of IndieWire’s Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, where he discussed his vision for the new installment. He described the first “Naked Gun” film as “a perfect movie” and a “magic trick” that continually surprised audiences with its inventive humor.
Curiosity Sparks a Change of Heart
Despite his reservations, Schaffer attended a meeting with Paramount out of “morbid curiosity” to learn about the studio’s plans for the franchise. His perspective shifted when he discovered that renowned actor Liam Neeson was interested in joining the project.
The Art of Comedy in Casting
Schaffer emphasized the importance of casting serious actors in comedy roles, a technique successfully employed by the ZAZ trio—David and Jerry Zucker along with Jim Abrahams—in their previous films like “Airplane!” and “Top Secret.”
“It’s not that they’re playing it straight; it’s that they’re playing it real,” Schaffer explained. He distinguished between seriousness and genuine performance, noting that actors must portray absurd situations with authenticity.
Neeson’s Unique Appeal
While Leslie Nielsen, who played Detective Frank Drebin in the original films, is irreplaceable, Schaffer believes Neeson can bring a fresh perspective to the character. “Any actor that would be trying to do a Leslie Nielsen impression of any sort would be a failing idea,” he added.
Schaffer’s intrigue with Neeson was particularly influenced by a memorable four-minute segment from the 2011 comedy series “Life’s Too Short,” starring Warwick Davis and Ricky Gervais. In this scene, Neeson portrays an exaggerated version of himself, awkwardly attempting to enter the realm of comedy while remaining oblivious to the inappropriateness of his material.
A New Take on a Classic Role
“What you see in that Gervais clip, what he showed me, he’s willing to poke fun at this iconic persona he’s been developing,” Schaffer said. This demonstration of self-awareness reassured him that they wouldn’t merely mimic the original films but create something distinct.
In Schaffer’s reboot, Neeson’s character is depicted as Detective Drebin’s son, honoring his father’s legacy while carving out his own identity, a reflection of how Neeson’s presence enables a new interpretation of the cherished franchise.
Catch the Reboot Now
The new “Naked Gun,” produced by Paramount Pictures, is currently showing in theaters. For those interested in hearing the full discussion with Akiva Schaffer, the entire interview can be found on the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast available on platforms like Apple and Spotify.
