Latest news with #PoliceSquad
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why original ‘Naked Gun' director says he won't watch reboot
(NEXSTAR) — This weekend, the wacky world of Lt. Frank Drebin and his 'Police Squad,' returns to theaters for the first time in 31 years. Directed by Akiva Schaffer ('Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping'), 'The Naked Gun' (2025) reboots the series with Oscar nominee Liam Neeson as its new star, playing Drebin's (the late Leslie Nielsen's) son. While early reactions to 'The Naked Gun' have been positive, there's one person who won't be reviewing the film anytime soon: David Zucker, who directed the franchise's first two movies and who wrote/produced the third. 8 classic '80s sitcoms and where to stream them Zucker (who's also known for directing 'Airplane!' and 'Scary Movie' franchise films) told TMZ back in April that he'd watched the trailer for the new film and was disappointed — both because he didn't like it and because he hadn't been consulted for the reboot. 'I never saw 'Airplane 2' because you can't unsee that stuff. I'm not planning on seeing the 'Naked Gun' remake either,' Zucker told TMZ. 'I regret having seen the trailer for it.' Zucker, 77, also negatively compared the trailer for the new film to seeing a notorious 2007 viral pornographic video starring two girls and a beverage container. 'I can't unsee it,' Zucker elaborated. According to Zucker, he and his team submitted a script to Paramount in 2018 that he says they were told the studio liked. Zucker says he was later shocked that the property had been greenlit for a different creative team. Once the film was in production, Zucker said he was offered a producer credit on the film but rejected it based on the script. Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad controversy explained 'I read the script and I politely told them I wasn't going to put my name on it,' Zucker told the Hollywood Reporter. 'They wanted nothing from me except my name. They assume I'm old and using a walker and I can't do it anymore. I guess talent leaves after age 40 in Hollywood.' Zucker also told THR in a different interview in May that he had doubts about the casting of Neeson, saying, 'Everybody thinks that they can do it, do spoof. It's really, really specific.' Production drama aside, 'The Naked Gun' has plenty of anticipation behind it. In addition to Neeson, pop culture icon Pamela Anderson also joins as the film's female lead. Anderson, 58, received rave reviews last year for her return to the big screen in Gia Coppola's 'The Last Showgirl.' 'The Naked Gun' opens nationwide August 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Kathryn Thomas leads the laughs at Irish premiere of The Naked Gun
An evening of outrageous gags and nostalgic one-liners awaited guests at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun. Fans of the original franchise and curious newcomers packed Dublin's Stella Cinema for an exclusive first look. Kathryn Thomas, Ellen Keane and Shannen Reilly McGrath were among those spotted on the pink carpet. Shannen Reilly McGrath at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy The Naked Gun is a reboot of the beloved 1988 action comedy. The latest instalment brings the classic slapstick formula to a new generation. Liam Neeson stars as Frank Drebin Jr, who follows in his father's footsteps to lead the Police Squad. Kathryn Thomas at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy The film boasts a comedic ensemble. Pamela Laird at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand and Cody Rhodes feature throughout. Hughie Maughan at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy There are also surprise appearances from comedy legends and pop culture icons. Ellen Keane at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy The movie is directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth McFarlane. Chupi Sweetman at the Irish premiere of The Naked Gun at The Stella Cinema. Pic: Brian McEvoy The Naked Gun opens in Irish cinemas on August 1.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hollywood Flashback: Before ‘The Naked Gun,' ‘Police Squad!' Took Its Shot
Four decades ago, Police Squad! didn't log much time with viewers but still lined up an impressive legacy. Following the success of 1980 spoof film Airplane!, which made $78 million at the box office ($214 million today) co-directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker hoped to make a similar comedy about police officers inspired by the 1950s Lee Marvin drama series M Squad. Then-Paramount exec Michael Eisner, who had championed Airplane!, offered them six episodes on ABC and promised that the process would be free of network meddling. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'South Park' Removed From Paramount+ Outside the U.S. Ex-'60 Minutes' Correspondent Steve Kroft Calls $16M Trump Settlement a "Shakedown" 'Ice Road: Vengeance' Review: Liam Neeson Returns for a Forgettable Sequel to an Already Forgotten Action Flick Police Squad! centered on bumbling officer Frank Drebin as played by Leslie Nielsen, known for dramatic roles before his crackup part in Airplane! 'Leslie never let on that he was in a comedy,' David Zucker tells The Hollywood Reporter of the late star's knack for deadpan humor. Co-starring Alan North, each episode kicked off with the murder of a notable guest, followed by Drebin cracking the case. Among the guests were William Shatner and Florence Henderson; John Belushi filmed a death scene, but when the actor passed away a day after the pilot aired, his appearance was shelved. Police Squad! premiered March 4, 1982, and had critics in stitches — THR's review praised the show for 'hitting the bullseye with uncanny accuracy' — but had trouble locking up ratings, leading to the series' cancellation after four episodes. The Police Squad! team had the last laugh, as Nielsen's Drebin returned for Paramount's 1988 film The Naked Gun, which David Zucker helmed. After two sequels, a Naked Gun reboot hits theaters Aug. 1 with Liam Neeson playing Drebin's son. Zucker feels burned to not be involved but is proud that the show has been rediscovered: 'It has really gained a following.' This story appeared in the July 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Pamela Anderson says she was 'nervous' to meet Liam Neeson amid romance rumours
Pamela Anderson has admitted to being 'nervous' to meet Liam Neeson on the set of The Naked Gun but he has revealed how the unique way she created 'chemistry' between them Pamela Anderson has admitted that she was 'very nervous' to meet Liam Neeson on set of The Naked Gun. The Baywatch legend, 58, has had a major career revival in recent years and recently enjoyed a star turn in The Last Showgirl but now she is back on-screen alongside fellow A-lister Liam in the upcoming action comedy, admitted amid romance rumours that she had assumed he was 'very scary' before they actually worked together. During an appearance on Monday's Loose Women in a pre-recorded segment with panelist GK Barry, she explained: "Your nerves are always going before you meet an entire crew and everybody all at once but especially meeting Liam. It was really scary, because he's so scary. He's had an amazing career and I feel like I'm just starting so I felt a little insecure. But then the butterflies went away and there you are." But in the end, Pamela and Liam were able to bond simply by spending 'so much time' together during production, and insisted that there was a "a kind of natural chemistry that happened, I don't know if it always happens but we were lucky". Liam revealed that his co-star would often bake for him, as he explained during the joint interview: "Pamela is a fantastic cook, she's a baker, and she, very sweetly, numerous times made me some sourdough bread." However, GK stopped the interview momentarily to note her surprise at the model's self-conscious nature as she reminded her: "You are Pamela Anderson...". But the actress was quick to note that she isn't fond of hearing her full moniker, as she claimed: "I don't like that name. Every time I hear that name I sometimes, it just sounds funny." Pamela, who was famously married to Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee in the 1990s and has sons Brandon 29, and Dylan, 27, with him also admitted that it was just 'nice to play a role in a film' as opposed to her 'a role in personal life' but insisted that amid this period of her career, she is doing things on her terms. She said: "I'm just doing it my own way. I'm not listening to too much of the advice of others because I don't know what my next incarnation will be or what I want to be but I just feel more comfortable this way right now. But it could change tomorrow, we could change our mind!" Liam recently joked that filming the 'sex scenes' with Pamela was his favourite part of filming the latest instalment. He also commented on having an intimacy coordinator on set. "I'd never had one before. But she was in the background. There was no kind of, 'OK! Excuse me!'," he said. Pamela, who plays a nightclub singer who goes to Police Squad for help after her brother is murdered, said the intimacy coordinator knew when to walk away. She joked that the staff member stormed off as Liam claimed she was exasperated and said: "I can't take this! This is too hot for me. I'm going for coffee." Liam and Pamela had nothing but compliments for each other, with Liam previously telling People that he was "madly in love" with the former Playboy cover star." She's just terrific to work with," he said. "I can't compliment her enough, I'll be honest with you. No huge ego. She just comes in to do the work. She's funny and so easy to work with. She's going to be terrific in the film." And last month, Pamela said: "Our chemistry was clear from the start. We have the utmost respect for one another. I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant so our relationship stayed 'professionally romantic' during filming."
Geek Culture
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
'The Naked Gun' Fan Screening - Win Tickets To Geek Culture Event
Fans of the old Police Squad franchise, buckle up! The Naked Gun is about to hit the screens again on 7 August 2025, this time starring Liam Neeson ( Taken franchise) as Frank Drebin Jr., son of Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin, who was the protagonist of the previous films. With his gun and badge in hand, Drebin will stop at nothing to fight crime, whether it's a cafe toilet queue or a man's laughter. Neeson is back in this legacy sequel, once again as a man who has a particular set of skills, but this time to follow in his father's footsteps and lead Police Squad, an elite task force, to save the world. Along with his trusty partner, Capt. Ed Hocken Jr., played by Paul Walter Hauser ( Blackbird ), Drebin will have to solve a crucial murder case brought to him by the mysterious Beth, portrayed by Pamela Anderson ( Baywatch , The Last Showgirl ). Paul Walter Hauser's Ed Hocken Jr. and Liam Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr. in The Naked Gun (2025) Together with UIP Singapore, we've got 90 pairs of tickets up for grabs to attend the The Naked Gun fan screening on 6th August 2025 at GV Plaza Singapura. Don't miss this chance to be among the first few to catch a glimpse of Neeson's Drebin in this thrilling and hilarious adventure! FAN SCREENING EVENT DETAILS Date: 6 August 2025, Wednesday Time: 7pm Location: GV Plaza Singapura Hall 8 (Assigned Seating) Rating: NC16, Sexual References and Violence Runtime: 85 min
