Positive Reception for New Film
David Zucker, the director of the original ‘Naked Gun’ movie, views the favorable response to the reboot as a promising sign for the comedy genre this year. Nevertheless, he has no intention of watching the new film, starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.
Director’s Disappointment Over Exclusion
Zucker has openly expressed his disappointment over not being involved in Paramount’s latest offering, especially since he had previously collaborated on a script for a fourth installment. The latest film, directed by Akiva Schaffer, features Neeson as the son of Frank Drebin, a character made famous by Leslie Nielsen in the original series and films. The reboot opened this weekend, securing the third spot at the domestic box office with a solid $17 million earnings.
Industry Impact
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Zucker remarked, “I’m excited about it because it just shows that there’s a strong market for comedy in movie theaters, and spoof in particular.” He expressed his support for Schaffer, stating, “People are liking it, which is great. I really like the director, and I just couldn’t wish him more well.” Zucker mentioned that he had already reached out to Schaffer to congratulate him.
Declining an Invitation
Despite the success of the movie, Zucker confirmed his plans to avoid watching the reboot. He humorously noted, “I’m not gonna see it, but I don’t see any of the sequels that were of my material done by other people, and that’s fine.” He recalled Schaffer’s invitation to view an early cut but politely declined, explaining that he wouldn’t be able to contribute significantly to a project that wasn’t aligned with his vision.
Turning Down Credit and Future Projects
Zucker also mentioned he turned down an executive producer credit offered by Paramount, stating, “I won’t take credit on anything that I didn’t work on from the beginning. I don’t need the money.” He humorously added, “After the agents and managers, it would have paid three electric bills, probably.” He underscored that if the reboot becomes a hit, Schaffer deserves the recognition.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Zucker hopes that the buzz around the new ‘Naked Gun’ will help advance his own projects, including one originally envisioned as the fourth film, now retitled ‘Counterintelijence’. He is also working on a noir spoof titled ‘The Star of Malta’, which he aims to film with a modest budget.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
Ultimately, Zucker conveyed his best wishes for the reboot. He expressed appreciation for producer Seth MacFarlane’s call shortly after the new film’s script completion. “He spent the first 10 minutes telling me how much he loved ‘Airplane,’ ‘The Naked Gun,’ and ‘Top Secret,’” Zucker recalled with a laugh. “I can’t get mad at anyone who will tell me what a genius I am. That was a good conversation. I was glad that Seth called, but I told him politely, ‘Good luck, but I can’t put my name on this.’ [But] everything happens for a reason.”
