Movies - The Naked Gun: Discover the New Trailer of a Hilariously Explosive Legacy Sequel

By Mulder, 16 june 2025

When Paramount Pictures unveiled the brand-new trailer for The Naked Gun, what initially appeared to be another nostalgic cash-in on a beloved franchise quickly revealed itself to be something far more self-aware, joyfully absurd, and daringly committed to the comedic legacy it inherits. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, best known for his work with The Lonely Island and his offbeat sense of timing, this film boldly positions itself as a legacy sequel—picking up after 1994’s Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult—but with an entirely new generational spin. At the center of this carefully orchestrated mayhem is none other than Liam Neeson, a man whose very name conjures up images of grim-faced vengeance and gravelly monologues, now hilariously rebranded as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the legendary buffoon cop once portrayed with straight-faced brilliance by Leslie Nielsen. From the very first seconds of the trailer, it becomes abundantly clear that this film leans unapologetically into the spirit of visual gags, verbal nonsense, and bombastic action-comedy antics that made the original films—and the short-lived TV show Police Squad!—so unforgettable. With Paramount betting big by placing the film in a prime August 1, 2025, summer slot, all signs point to a confident studio that’s hoping for more than a chuckle; they’re looking to relaunch a comedic titan.

The production history behind The Naked Gun reads almost like a spoof of Hollywood development hell itself, beginning in 2013 when Paramount Pictures first announced their plans to reboot the franchise with Ed Helms attached and a script in the works by Thomas Lennon and R. Ben Garant. At the time, the concept was to keep the universe intact while introducing a new protagonist who would cheekily claim to be “Frank Drebin, no relation.” Though this approach sparked curiosity, it also drew early criticism—particularly from David Zucker, the creative force behind the original trilogy—who declined involvement, fearing a tonal misfire and a dilution of the genre’s irreverent essence. The idea lingered, evolved, and mutated through rewrites by Pat Proft and David Zucker himself, at one point even being pitched as Naked: Impossible, a spoof of spy thrillers that reflected the modern cinematic climate, where cop films were out and international espionage was in. For years, the franchise sat in limbo, occasionally surfacing in trade rumors, but without forward momentum—until Seth MacFarlane, the boundary-pushing creator of Family Guy and Ted, reignited the project with a blend of reverence and comedic audacity. Seth MacFarlane’s early interest in casting Liam Neeson wasn’t just a joke—he had long believed that Neeson’s trademark stoicism would create perfect comedic friction when placed against the ridiculousness of Frank Drebin’s universe. As development picked up again in 2021, Seth MacFarlane’s instincts proved prescient: Liam Neeson himself had publicly flirted with the idea of doing a comedy, and after conversations with Seth MacFarlane and the studio, he officially joined the cast.

What makes this new film stand out—besides Liam Neeson’s inspired casting—is the creative team’s commitment to channeling the essence of the original while giving it a fresh cinematic engine. Akiva Schaffer, alongside Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, shaped the final screenplay based on earlier drafts that featured contributions from Mark Hentemann, Alec Sulkin, and Seth MacFarlane, with the Writers Guild of America ultimately crediting Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand as the official writers. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins produced the film under the Fuzzy Door Productions banner, bringing their brand of irreverence and polish to the chaotic universe of Frank Drebin. The movie was shot in Atlanta from May to late June 2024 under the winkingly ridiculous working title Law of Toughness, a nod to the absurd machismo that the original series so gleefully mocked. The cast is an eclectic, inspired mix: Pamela Anderson brings her iconic screen presence and comedic timing; Paul Walter Hauser steps into the role of Capt. Ed Hocken, taking over a mantle once held by the great George Kennedy; and Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, and even Busta Rhymes round out a supporting ensemble that suggests a mix of genre parody, pop culture chaos, and the kind of deliberately over-the-top world-building fans have come to expect from a Naked Gun movie. Add to that a lush orchestral score by Joel McNeely, slick cinematography by Brandon Trost, and editing from Brian Scott Olds, and the film takes on a level of visual sophistication rarely seen in broad comedies—perfectly heightening the contrast between seriousness and silliness that is the franchise’s trademark.

Of course, no Naked Gun entry would be complete without controversy or at least a raised eyebrow from the franchise’s founding fathers, and David Zucker did not mince words when he revealed in April 2025 that he had not been involved and would not even be watching the final film. His disapproval echoes a broader generational divide: can modern comedies, shaped by rapid-fire internet humor and political correctness, truly emulate the fearless parody of yesteryear? Judging by the trailer, the filmmakers aren’t shying away from that question—they’re embracing it, detonating it, and dancing around the smoke cloud in clown shoes. The synopsis sets the tone perfectly: only one man—armed with a very particular set of skills, let’s say unusual ones—can lead a top-secret special brigade and save the world. That man is Frank Drebin Jr., a name that carries the weight of ridiculous legacy and, now, absurd global responsibility. This premise, combined with the film’s apparent love for visual gags, wordplay, and subversion of action tropes, hints at a movie that’s less interested in modernizing comedy and more focused on exploding it from the inside out.

More than just a reboot or even a loving homage, The Naked Gun feels like a full-throttle resurrection of a comedic voice that cinema sorely misses. In an age where most reboots lean into gritty realism or aimless nostalgia, this film seems to understand that what made the original Naked Gun trilogy work was its unwavering belief that stupidity, when executed with precision, is an art form. Liam Neeson’s commitment to the bit, surrounded by a cast that’s clearly game for anything, could turn this into a cultural surprise—much like the original films once were. And with Paramount Pictures finally giving it the summer spotlight, there's a chance this could be the moment when a new generation meets Frank Drebin for the first time and falls in love with the sheer absurdity of a man who can destroy a city just by getting out of bed. One thing’s for sure: come August 1, 2025, audiences won’t just be watching another action-comedy. They’ll be stepping into the padded, pratfall-strewn, perfectly idiotic world of The Naked Gun once again—and if the trailer’s any indication, that’s exactly what we’ve been missing.

Synopsis :
Only one man possesses the skills—let's say unique skills—to lead the prestigious Special Brigade and... quite simply, save the world! That man is Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr.—yes, you read that right—the man following in the footsteps of his illustrious father in The Naked Gun.

The Naked Gun
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
Written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Akiva Schaffer
Based on Police Squad! by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker
Produced by Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins
Starring: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson
Cinematography: Brandon Trost
Edited by: Brian Scott Olds
Music by: Joel McNeely
Production company: Fuzzy Door Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: August 1, 2025 (United States), August 13, 2025 (France)

Photos : Copyright Paramount Pictures