Liam Neeson Says His Comedic Ability “Has To Be Proven” In Upcoming ‘Naked Gun’ Remake: “I’m Slightly Nervous”

Liam Neeson has mastered action and drama, but his next project — a remake of The Naked Gun — requires a new skill: eliciting laughs.

After being asked “what’s most exciting” for him about getting to boast his “comedic chops” in the upcoming film, he told ComingSoon.net (per People) that “it has to be proven.”

“So I’m slightly nervous of it,” he admitted. “A little Stephen Colbert sketch or Ricky Gervais, I’m okay because it’s short. But a whole film, we’ll see. We’ll see.”

This may seem like a stark contrast for Neeson — who just starred in the Irish thriller In The Land of Saints and Sinners — but he’s previously appeared in comedies like Atlanta and Derry Girls.

While Neeson noted that they’re “still in the casting process for the other parts,” he lauded the “good script” and highlighted that “there’s some funny laugh-out-loud moments,” crediting co-writer, director, and executive producer Akiva Schaffer , who previously worked on Saturday Night Live. Dan Gregor and Doug Mand wrote alongside Schaffer, as well.

The reboot, which is slated to be released July 18, 2025, will star Neeson as Lieutenant Frank Drebin, a role originally played by the late Leslie Nielsen. While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Neeson recalled being “approached” by producer Seth MacFarlane “about two years ago” to take on the role.

“I thought, yeah, I guess I could do that as long as I play it dead seriously and not try and imitate Mr. Leslie Nielsen,” he shared. “He was wonderful.”

Neeson also told THR that they start will start production in the coming months in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Naked Gun films were inspired by the 1982 TV show Police Squad!, and spawned the following three films: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.