Original Naked Gun creator's swipe at reboot and star Liam Neeson: ‘Not a fresh idea'
David Zucker, along with his brother Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, created the 1988 spoof comedy as well as the TV show that spawned it, Police Squad, but was not invited to join the team behind the new instalment.
Instead, its co-written and directed by Saturday Night Live's Akiva Schaffer and produced by Family Guy's Seth Macfarlane.
'I don't plan on seeing it because, why would I?,' Zucker, 77, told the Daily Mail recently.
'I wrote a whole script for Naked Gun 4 on spec for Paramount. I understand the studio's thinking to go with Seth Macfarlane. He's a proven commodity and Liam Neeson is a big star, but it's not a fresh idea.'
Never miss the latest entertainment news from Australia and around the world - download the news.com.au app direct to your phone.
Neeson has stepped into the lead role of the new reboot. Picture: Paramount
Nielsen was the original Detective Frank Drebin. Picture: Paramount
Zucker also claimed that Neeson was not the right fit for the beloved franchise he created.
'OJ [Simpson] … he didn't need to be funny,' he said. 'And even Leslie Nielsen doesn't need to be funny. He just had to be a B-movie actor.
'That's what we did … We didn't pretend to cast Laurence Olivier or even Al Pacino. But Liam Neeson, for example, he's like Oscar quality. I think he may have won for Schindler's List. So I mean, what's he making fun of?'
According to Zucker, despite being shut out of the production, Macfarlane had eventually called him up personally.
'I had a conversation with Seth and he spent 10 minutes just telling me how he idolised Naked Gun, Airplane, Top Secret,' he said.
'How can you be mad at anybody who tells you how great you are? But it's not enough to be a fan … The guy at my dry cleaners is a big fan, but it doesn't mean he can do Naked Gun.'
The new film in the beloved franchise sees Detective Frank Drebin's son, the equally bumbling Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) caught up in a murder case, part of a broader sinister plot for mass destruction, which he must solve in order to prevent the police department from shutting down.
Pamela Anderson co-stars as his love interest and investigative partner, Beth Davenport.
Anderson co-stars as Beth Davenport. Picture: Paramount
Just like those in the original franchise, the latest Naked Gun movie leans in to the most bonkers humour – and even co-writer Doug Mand admitted to news.com.au that he was shocked they got most of the jokes over the line.
'I can't believe this movie got made,' he revealed at the UK premiere.
'You dream about writing something that's silly and fun and joyful and they're not making a lot of movies like this anymore. Every joke that's on screen [in The Naked Gun], I can't believe they shot it, and I can't believe they spent money on shooting it.'
Zucker had a brutal verdict on the latest Naked Gun film. Picture: Geoff Ward.
Neeson revealed to news.com.au that he'd needed to be 'convinced' to go through with some of the movie's more 'outrageous' scenes.
'There were a couple of apprehensions, mainly to do with the script,' the Taken actor, 73, said.
'There were certain scenes that were too outrageous.'
After voicing his concerns, however, he was eventually thoroughly 'convinced they would work' by the production team.
The Naked Gun certainly shows off a whole new side of the actor, who's known for his intimidating and stoic on-screen presence.
But his latest role is actually more aligned with his sense of humour, as Anderson, 58, told news.com.au, joking that he was inherently 'a silly little boy'.
'He's very funny. I think with most people, there are so many sides to them, and that's what makes them interesting.'
She added: 'Playing it straight was very important to make this film work – we had to make sure we weren't trying to be funny. That we were in the relationship, and in the situation, and then the comedy came from the circumstances.'
The Naked Gun is in cinemas from August 21.
Originally published as Original Naked Gun creator's swipe at reboot and star Liam Neeson
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Man dies after fall from balcony at Oasis Wembley gig
Oasis says its members are "shocked and saddened" after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London's Wembley Stadium. The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10.30pm local time on Saturday. It said a man in his 40s was found "with injuries consistent with a fall." He was pronounced dead at the scene. The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night," Oasis said in a statement, offering "sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved". A witness told the Daily Mail: "It was horrendous. "The guy fell from a balcony. Paramedics came rushing over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting. "It was a big fall. God knows how it happened. It was so tragic. I don't know how on Earth it happened. "It was heartbreaking. He was only young." The Britpop icons' first tour in 16 year s kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturday's concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. Stadium management said Sunday's gig would go ahead as planned. with PA Oasis says its members are "shocked and saddened" after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London's Wembley Stadium. The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10.30pm local time on Saturday. It said a man in his 40s was found "with injuries consistent with a fall." He was pronounced dead at the scene. The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night," Oasis said in a statement, offering "sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved". A witness told the Daily Mail: "It was horrendous. "The guy fell from a balcony. Paramedics came rushing over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting. "It was a big fall. God knows how it happened. It was so tragic. I don't know how on Earth it happened. "It was heartbreaking. He was only young." The Britpop icons' first tour in 16 year s kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturday's concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. Stadium management said Sunday's gig would go ahead as planned. with PA Oasis says its members are "shocked and saddened" after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London's Wembley Stadium. The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10.30pm local time on Saturday. It said a man in his 40s was found "with injuries consistent with a fall." He was pronounced dead at the scene. The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night," Oasis said in a statement, offering "sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved". A witness told the Daily Mail: "It was horrendous. "The guy fell from a balcony. Paramedics came rushing over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting. "It was a big fall. God knows how it happened. It was so tragic. I don't know how on Earth it happened. "It was heartbreaking. He was only young." The Britpop icons' first tour in 16 year s kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturday's concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. Stadium management said Sunday's gig would go ahead as planned. with PA Oasis says its members are "shocked and saddened" after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London's Wembley Stadium. The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10.30pm local time on Saturday. It said a man in his 40s was found "with injuries consistent with a fall." He was pronounced dead at the scene. The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night," Oasis said in a statement, offering "sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved". A witness told the Daily Mail: "It was horrendous. "The guy fell from a balcony. Paramedics came rushing over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting. "It was a big fall. God knows how it happened. It was so tragic. I don't know how on Earth it happened. "It was heartbreaking. He was only young." The Britpop icons' first tour in 16 year s kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturday's concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. Stadium management said Sunday's gig would go ahead as planned. with PA
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Why Prince William, Prince Harry won't inherit Princess Diana's childhood home
Prince William and Prince Harry will not be inheriting their late mother Princess Diana's childhood home. While the Princess of Wales left behind many possessions when she died in 1997, her Althorp property in Northamptonshire, was not one of them. The sprawling estate, which served as the backdrop for much of Diana's childhood, has belonged to the Spencer family since 1508, the New York Post reports. The late royal's father settled there in 1975 after becoming Earl Spencer. To date, the lavish home belongs to the current Earl Spencer, Diana's brother Charles. And once he dies, his son Louis, Viscount Althorp, will inherit the estate — meaning the ownership of the property will not reach the Prince of Wales, 43, or Duke of Sussex, 40. RELATED: 'Prison': Kate and Wills in shock move Meghan's next move after Netflix disaster 'Toxic': King's staff stage mass exodus The Spencer dynamic was thrown for a loop with the property, as Louis will be the next owner despite the fact that he has three older sisters. According to a years-long tradition of the Spencer family observing primogeniture, Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, and Lady Amelia will not be inheriting the estate. Speaking in 2015 about the unwritten rule, Charles said that while he's 'totally relaxed' about Kitty inheriting the estate, he did note that 'it would be against all tradition.' 'It's just the way it is,' he told the Daily Mail at the time. 'I get the problems with it as a concept. I also get the strengths of it, having worked to date.' Later that year, Kitty said that while she's 'totally pro-gender equality,' she's 'quite happy' with the property becoming her younger brother's 'responsibility.' 'I just think it's the correct way,' she told Tatler. 'I like that the house stays within the same family, with the same surname. 'I wouldn't want it any other way for the Spencers. And I just know my brother is going to do an impeccable job.' The estate holds a significant meaning for the Spencer family, as it's also Diana's final resting place. The late princess is buried on a small island in the middle of its Oval Lake — which is not accessible to the public. Speaking about the chosen location, the beloved royal's brother previously said that the lake acts 'as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish, the thick mud presenting a further line of defence.' The secluded location also means that William and Harry are able to visit their late mother's resting place without the fear of being seen. 'It is, luckily, very tranquil here, and [William and Harry] can come and go as they wish whenever they want. And that's very lovely for me to know that,' he added. In his 2023 memoir, 'Spare,' Harry opened up about visiting Diana's memorial with his wife, Meghan Markle. The Sussexes ventured out to Althorp to pay their respects to the late royal on the 25th anniversary of her death in August 2022. The Invictus Games founder said the duo took a boat across the lake and 'gazed around at Althorp's rolling fields and ancient trees, the thousands of green acres where my mother grew up, and where, though things weren't perfect, she'd known some peace.' 'At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum,' he added. Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission. RELATED: George must abide by sad rule 'Desperate': Harry's fear when Wills is King Harry and Meg slash staff in brutal move
Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Sister of Liam Neeson's late wife Natasha Richardson reacts to his ‘budding romance' with Pamela Anderson
Liam Neeson's new love appears to have his former sister-in-law's approval. Pamela Anderson took to Instagram on Friday, August 1, to share a carousel of sweet photos of herself posing with Neeson to promote the release of their new movie together. 'The Naked Gun is finally in theatres!' Anderson, 58, wrote. 'Bring your friends, family, lovers… whoever… just go and have a laugh… It's good for you! I'll see you there.' Natasha Richardson's sister, Joely Richardson, then shared seven red heart emojis in the comments section of Anderson's post. Joely's apparent support for Neeson's rumored romance with Anderson excited many of the former 'Baywatch' star's fans, and several took to the comments section to share their reactions. 'Classy and loving as always,' one person wrote underneath Joely's comment. 'Very sweet of you,' added another, while a third commented, 'Okay, this is everything.' Neeson, 73, married Joely's sister, Natasha Richardson, in 1994 after the pair met and worked together on the Broadway revival of 'Anna Christie' one year earlier. Before striking up a relationship with Richardson, the 'Taken' star had dated Helen Mirren and Barbra Streisand. Neeson and Richardson went on to welcome two sons together: Micheál, now 30, and Daniel, now 28. But tragedy struck in March 2009 when Richardson passed away from a traumatic brain injury she suffered during a skiing accident in Quebec. The beloved 'Parent Trap' actress was 45. Neeson later opened up about his wife's passing and the grief he endured during an interview with '60 Minutes' in 2014. 'Grief hits you. It's like a wave,' he told host Anderson Cooper at the time. 'You just get this profound feeling of instability. You feel like a three-legged table. Just suddenly, the Earth isn't stable anymore.' 'And then it passes and becomes more infrequent, but I still get it sometimes,' the 'Star Wars' actor added. Then, in October 2024, Neeson claimed that he was done dating. 'No, in a word,' he told People last year. 'I'm past all that.' But that appeared to change when the Oscar-nominated actor and Anderson met and began working together on Seth MacFarlane's 'The Naked Gun' reboot. 'With Pamela, first off, I'm madly in love with her,' Neeson, also in October 2024, said. 'She's just terrific to work with.' 'I think I have a friend forever in Liam, and we definitely have a connection that is very sincere, very loving, and he's a good guy,' Anderson told Entertainment Weekly last month. The pair both brought their sons to the NYC premiere of 'The Naked Gun,' and then pretended to make out on live TV during a July 29 appearance on 'Today.' Insiders have since claimed that Neeson and Anderson are dating and 'enjoying each other's company.' 'It's a budding romance in the early stages,' a source told People in July. 'It's sincere, and it's clear they're smitten with each other.' 'It's very sincere how they feel,' another insider told Page Six. 'That is the truth.' 'They're not going to show up on the red carpet and be adorable just to be fake, that's not either of them,' they added. 'This is happening in real time, here and now, so I don't know what things look like moving forward.' The Post has reached out to Neeson and Anderson's reps for comment. Originally published as Sister of Liam Neeson's late wife Natasha Richardson reacts to his 'budding romance' with Pamela Anderson
