Why original 'Naked Gun' director says he won't watch reboot
Share this @internewscast.com

This weekend marks the return of Lt. Frank Drebin’s hilariously chaotic world to cinemas, as “The Naked Gun” series is revived for the first time in over three decades. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for “Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping,” the 2025 version of “The Naked Gun” introduces Liam Neeson as the lead, stepping into the role of Drebin’s son, originally portrayed by the late Leslie Nielsen.

Although initial feedback on the new “The Naked Gun” movie has been favorable, one notable figure remains absent from the discussion: David Zucker. Zucker, who directed the first two films of the series and contributed as a writer and producer to the third, has opted not to share his views on the new film.

Zucker — also recognized for his work on the “Airplane!” and “Scary Movie” franchises — expressed his disappointment to TMZ back in April after watching the trailer for the reboot, voicing his dissatisfaction and lamenting the fact that he was not involved in this new installment’s creation.

“I avoided watching ‘Airplane 2’ for a reason; some things you can’t unsee. I have no intention of watching the ‘Naked Gun’ remake either,” Zucker explained to TMZ. “I regret even watching the trailer for it.”

Zucker, at 77, compared watching the new film’s trailer to a notoriously notorious 2007 viral video involving two girls and a drink container, stating, “I can’t unsee it,” to emphasize his distaste.

SANTA MONICA, CA – 1988: Directors, writers and producers Jerry Zucker (left), Robert K. Weiss, and David Zucker, pose during the 1988 Santa Monica, California, filming of the comedy, “The Naked Gun.” (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Zucker shared that in 2018, his team had submitted a script for the revival to Paramount, who reportedly showed interest. However, he was taken aback when he learned that the studio had decided to move forward with a different team. Despite being offered a producer credit during production, Zucker declined it due to his dissatisfaction with the script.

“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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Thrill or Peril? Alex Honnold’s Bold Rope-Free Ascent of Taipei 101 Captivates Global Audience

TAIPEI – Standing majestically over the cityscape of Taiwan’s bustling capital, Taipei…

Discover the Triumphant Trio: Authors Awarded $10,000 for Masterfully Merging Science with Literature

NEW YORK – Recognizing the seamless fusion of scientific inquiry with literary…

Shocking Bodycam Footage Reveals Dramatic Arrest in Sumter County Woods

A man was apprehended earlier this month in Wildwood, Sumter County, following…

Join the Discussion: ATSDR Hosts Interactive Q&A on Bristol Landfill Concerns

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) convened a public…

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs Sells for $450 Million: Iconic Coney Island Brand Changes Ownership

Nathan’s Famous, the iconic brand known for its humble beginnings as a…

Vino Noir Wine Bar Uncorks a New Era for Wine Lovers in Johnson City

Residents of the Tri-Cities can now enjoy a fresh spot to relax…

Bangladesh’s Political Transformation: First National Election Campaign Post-Hasina Era Begins

DHAKA – On Thursday, Bangladesh entered a new political era as campaigning…

Unicoi Man Arrested: Sheriff’s Office Seizes Guns and Drugs in Major Bust

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A resident of Unicoi was taken into…

Danish Prime Minister Asserts Non-Negotiable Sovereignty Following Trump’s Reversal on Greenland

COPENHAGEN – On Thursday, Denmark’s Prime Minister made it clear that her…

FDLE Officers Conduct Removal Operation in Orange County, Ensuring Safety of Adults and Children

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A significant police operation unfolded in an Orange…

Military Police on Standby: Potential Deployment to Minneapolis Amid Rising Tensions

WASHINGTON – In response to ongoing protests tied to the Trump administration’s…

Brace Yourself: Central Florida’s Mild Warm-Up Precedes Another Chilling Cold Front

ORLANDO, Fla. – A significant weather system is developing nationwide, and while…