While big names like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger have put their action hero days behind them in their 70s, Liam Neeson is still pretty active in the genre. Between his big starring role in The Naked Gun reboot to some of his other newer releases that always seem to perform well on streaming, how can he stay so fit at his age?

The actor recently shared the secret to his physical health with Yahoo Entertainment. While Neeson wouldn't consider himself a gym rat, it does sound like he does what he needs to ensure he can stay as healthy and active as possible to be ready for his various film roles:

Liam Neeson didn't drop the gym routine for others looking to move as he does in his 70s, but apparently it's the secret to his signing on for more action-heavy movies decades into his career. I'm happy because it means we may get more Naked Gun sequels, even if the co-creator of the original wasn't a fan.

It's impressive to think that Neeson is still moving around as well as he is after a terrible motorcycle accident back in 2000. The actor was thrown from his bike after colliding with a deer, and ABC News reported he fractured his right pelvis, chipped his left pelvis, and had multiple abrasions down his legs. Liam Neeson shared some added context to that night, mentioning something involving his late wife, who passed in 2009:

Health is wealth, especially when it comes to repeatedly overcoming unfortunate accidents like an on-set stabbing. Perhaps it was those accidents that taught the actor not to take any moment for granted or gave him the confidence to continue to pursue action roles like Taken.

While I love his work in action movies, I'd love to see Liam Neeson get back into doing more dramatic works or revisit some of his previous beloved roles. I'm of the opinion that if so many other Star Wars characters can come back from the dead, then why can't Qui-Gon Jinn? I think he's healthy enough to participate in lightsaber battles at his age, and if it were a prequel to Episode 1, he could even get away with playing a younger version of himself.

We'll see what the future holds for Liam Neeson, as he remains as active in the industry as actors half his age. I can't wait to see what other projects he has coming out, and what actor will be the next Neeson in future eras.

The past few years have seen a definite renaissance for Pamela Anderson. After stepping way back from the fame she gained during her time in the ‘90s as a “sex symbol” on Baywatch, the Home Improvement actress has launched herself into a new career era. Not only did she return to her leading lady status with a Golden Globe and SAG nominated role in The Last Showgirl in 2024, but the 2025 movie schedule played host to her comedy chops in the highly praised legacyquel, The Naked Gun. The release of that film saw rumors of a romance between Anderson and co-star Liam Neeson, and she’s finally opened up about whether or not that talk was true.

What Did Pamela Anderson Say About Her Rumored Romance With Liam Neeson?

It was in 2023 that Pamela Anderson began her Pamaissance in earnest with the documentary, Pamela, A Love Story (available with a Netflix subscription), and the memoir Love, Pamela, kicking things off. However, considering how quiet things had been when it came to news about her recent romantic life, it was a bit surprising (but lovely, nonetheless) to hear rumors during the press tour for The Naked Gun that the V.I.P. star and her new on-screen leading man, Liam Neeson, were dating.

Now, Anderson has spoken to People about those rumors (which she previously hadn’t confirmed, but did shoot down the idea of the romance as being a “PR stunt”), and said:

Well, there you have it. It turns out that all that dancing to “I’m Too Sexy” and pretending to get caught kissing while on the Today show, along with other signs of affection as they made the rounds for interviews, weren’t “faked” for promotional purposes, but based in them having “real feelings” for one another.

The star also opened up about some of the specifics of their time together as a couple, and noted that she and the Taken franchise lead had what she calls an “intimate week” staying at his home in upstate New York, where she had her “own room,” and “our assistants both came; even family stopped by.” I’d say that the time they spent together definitely tracks, considering that Neeson complimented Andereson’s “sourdough bread” not long ago. Sure, she could have made it at whatever rental she was staying in during filming and brought it to set, but can’t you just imagine her baking that while staying at his place?

After their “romantic lost week,” where they visited a French restaurant and she helped him tend some roses in his garden, the Barb Wire star added that the short-lived romantic duo “went our separate ways to work on other films.” But, for those among you who are still swooning, we can at least probably look forward to these two being friends for years to come, as Anderson also said:

Mature and respectful love, y’all…That’s where it’s at!

In an era when it seems every movie is destined to be rebooted, one franchise that was surprising to see return was The Naked Gun. Spoof movies in general have seemed like a thing of the past, and The Naked Gun was such an artifact of its time, with star Leslie Nielsen and creators Jim Abrams and David and Jerry Zucker, that it seemed impossible anybody would try to do that again.

And yet it happened. A new The Naked Gun movie arrived on the 2025 movie schedule from producer Seth MacFarlane, director Akiva Schaffer and star Liam Neeson. For the most part, it seems most liked it. Our own Naked Gun review was solid, and many other critics agreed. The film also got a decent box office return at a time when that is far from a sure thing. However, one person who apparently didn’t care for it is David Zucker, who recently told Woman’s World…

While I’m not sure fans would say the new Naked Gun “totally” missed it, many critics felt that, while the new film was good, it certainly wasn’t quite the same. Some explained that the new Naked Gun not trying to match the original perfectly was a good thing because it likely would have failed. Zucker, however, feels that writer and producer Seth MacFarlane missed some fundamental elements in what makes spoof movies work.

The knowledge that David Zucker had to make spoof movies work came from years of making them and creating a collection of rules that helped make the jokes work. Zucker has recorded an online class for MasterClass called A Crash Course In Spoof Comedy, which will teach people those rules so that future spoof movies get it right. He continued…

He doesn’t go into what most of these rules are, beyond the first, which was that every joke needs a straight man, and the last being that “there are no rules.” I suppose if you pay for the MasterClass, you can learn them all and perhaps begin to see where the new Naked Gun went wrong in Zucker’s eyes.

There is at least one spoof movie that might benefit from taking the MasterClass. While it’s unclear if we might see any Naked Gun sequels with Liam Neeson, there is a new Scary Movie in development. David Zucker himself directed two entries in that franchise.

Zucker's words are a bit surprising if only because he previously said he had no intention of seeing the new Naked Gun. He was supportive of the film itself, but said he just wasn't interested in seeing somebody else's take on his work. It seems he broke that rule.

I don’t want to sound dramatic, but Joe Keery’s hair just launched a solo career. The star of the upcoming fifth and final season of Stranger Things shows up in the new trailer for Cold Storage, which you can watch above, looking like he lost a fight with a bottle of peroxide and a wind tunnel, and I mean that as a compliment. I really dunno what the heck is going on with the look, but at least Liam Neeson is truly going for it in the new comedy-thriller.

The trailer just dropped on Samuel Goldwyn Pictures’ YouTube channel, and the movie’s vibe is miles from Keery’s sunny mop—think biohazard suits, blaring sirens, and something nasty that should’ve stayed sealed. Slated on the 2026 movie calendar, the hook’s simple: Keery plays a blue-collar tech—wild ’do and all—who’s dragged into a nightmare when containment fails and a nasty fungus mutates and upgrades its living situation. Also in the mix is Neeson, whose particular set of skills includes spiking your pulse 15 BPM with a single glower. I'm so thoroughly excited for this one.

Let’s talk about that hair before the spores. Keery’s gone full “hazmat Himbo,” with surfer-blond mop flopping over his eyes and a choppy, DIY style that screams late-shift maintenance guy who didn’t think fighting an “apocalyptic fungus” was in the job description. It’s a sharp left turn from Steve Harrington’s glossy Hawkins coif, but it instantly sells the character. You don't have to say much or give exposition, because viewers will probably get it.

So what’s actually happening beneath the bangs? Keery plays Teacake, a self-storage employee working a facility that just happens to sit on top of a former military base—because of course it does. He teams with coworker Naomi (Campbell) when a government-sealed parasitic fungus breaks loose, unleashing brain-hijacking, body-bursting chaos on anything in range. Enter Neeson as a weathered bioterror operative. If you’re hearing echoes of containment thrillers with a streak of gallows humor, that’s the movie’s lane.

Behind the camera, there’s more pedigree than you might expect for a midnight-movie premise. Jonny Campbell (BBC’s Dracula 2020) directs from a screenplay that is a new book-to-screen adaptation of David Koepp’s novel, and yes, that's the Jurassic Park and Panic Room writer, David Koepp. Producing are Gavin Polone (Zombieland, Panic Room) and Koepp himself, which helps explain the trailer’s mix of pressure-cooker suspense and wry energy.

The supporting cast is stacked, too: Sosie Bacon (Smile), Vanessa Redgrave (Mission: Impossible), and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) all pop up, giving the outbreak a classy, award-adjacent aftertaste even as things get gloriously gross.

Tone-wise, it's clear from the footage that we are getting a healthy mix of comedy, outbreak panic, and creature-feature mayhem, which is very much reminiscent of the greatest horror-comedy/thrillers. It's giving me Ghostbusters vibes.

The trailer caption confirms a February 13, 2026, theatrical date via Studio Canal and Samuel Goldwyn Films, and frames the movie as a sci-fi horror-comedy. And, the bottom line is Cold Storage looks like a gnarly, midnight-movie cocktail and a starring hairdo you’ll be discussing for days to come. Keery’s locks may be a mystery, but the trailer makes one thing clear—this one’s got bite, and, I for one, cannot wait to catch this flick in the cinema.

Liam Neeson has a new action movie available to stream right now. Unlike the Taken actor’s “really smart” Naked Gun reboot, Ice Road: Vengeance, a sequel to a surprisingly great 2021 action thriller, is one I probably should have left on my “to do” list that never gets crossed off. I liked the first movie and thought to myself that the 2025 movie would at least be fun, but after watching it with my Netflix subscription, I have a major bone to pick.

I have a myriad of problems with Ice Road: Vengeance, with its story about an ice-road trucker traveling to Mt. Everest to scatter his brother’s ashes, but there’s one specific aspect of this movie that makes my blood boil. Allow me to explain…

Ice Road: Vengeance Constantly Cuts Away From The Action, Especially During The Numerous Deaths

Going into Ice Road: Vengeance, I knew it was a PG-13 action movie, and so I didn’t expect to see a lot of violence, unsettling imagery, or any other characteristics of harder-edged thrillers. However, this movie makes a habit of constantly cutting away from the action whenever one of the characters is about to get shot, stabbed, or pushed off the side of a cliff in the Himalayas.

Sure, I was able to put two and two together and figure out what happened to some major characters (no spoilers) or random unnamed gunmen, but at least show the action a few times instead of quickly cutting away to sanitize the violence. I mean, Heads of State, which we gave a 4 out of 5 stars in our official review, managed to be more violent while not losing the PG-13 rating, so what gives?

The Fates Of Certain Characters Were Left Up In The Air Way Too Much

A lot of people die in this movie (like a lot), but for the majority of those death scenes, the camera either cuts away from the action or the scene entirely. I’m not kidding you, there were multiple characters whose deaths were left so ambiguous I was waiting for them to show up again before it was all said and done (this happens, by the way).

Again, this is a tried and true action movie trope where a secondary character you thought was toast shows up to save the day in the end. However, that’s not really the case here, and those characters are given an OK conclusion a few minutes later.

I Really Dug The First Ice Road Movie, But It Was Hard To See This One Through

Though some of my colleagues weren’t too hot on The Ice Road back in 2021 (CinemaBlend gave it 2 out of 5 stars), I really dug the movie and the chemistry shared by Liam Neeson and Amber Midthunder. After the Ice Road ending, I didn’t necessarily need to see a sequel, but I remember thinking it would be fun to see Neeson’s Mike McCann again. However, I don’t feel the same way after watching Ice Road: Vengeance.

It was hard to get through this sequel, even outside of the movie’s habit of pulling away from the action. I’m a sucker for punishment, but a man can only take so much.

Stream Ice Road: Vengeance on Netflix.

Speculation continues to swirl around Pamela Anderson’s on-and off-screen connection with The Naked Gun reboot co-star Liam Neeson. Reports suggesting that Neeson and Anderson's relationship is a publicity stunt have gained traction in recent weeks. However, Anderson now appears to have addressed the matter. During a public event, the actress didn't hold back when sharing her thoughts about the notion of staging "PR stunts."

Pamela Anderson shared her comments while accepting the Deauville Talent Award at the 51st Deauville American Film Festival on Friday. Via People, the Baywatch cast alum didn't directly name Liam Neeson or officially confirm their relationship. However, she did call the idea of a staged romance not just false, but insulting:

Anderson's been enjoying a full-blown career renaissance following The Last Showgirl, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. More recently, she's been lauded for her standout performance in The Naked Gun reboot. With her work in mind, Anderson also didn’t mince words about her purpose as an artist:

The comments come after reports in July that Anderson and Neeson were dating, with sources calling the couple “smitten.” The chatter escalated in August, forcing insiders to double down, explaining to the magazine that their connection is real and that “neither would ever take part in a publicity stunt.” One source put it bluntly, “There’s no incentive for either of them to stage something like this.”

The timing of the A-list performers’ romance—emerging just as The Naked Gun reboot hit the 2025 movie schedule—fueled skepticism. However, the Neeson/Anderson romance has also been hyped by both fans and celebrities alike. The two appeared at premieres across Europe and the U.S., even bringing their grown children to the red carpet in New York. A cheeky Today Show bit, where they pretended to get caught kissing on camera and also hilariously danced to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy,” only amped up speculation.

But, if Friday’s speech proved anything, it’s that Anderson is holding the line on her truth, unwilling to participate in cheap gimmicks or marketing spin. She’s embracing her unfiltered, focused, and fiercely protective self, and that is so commendable.

The Naked Gun continues to play in theaters to a strong critical reception, with CinemaBlend giving the flick a strong 4 out of 5 stars in our review. You can catch Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson’s chemistry on screen, just don’t expect them to explain it off-screen.

Rumors quickly surfaced that Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson were dating for real as the pair began promoting their 2025 movie release, Akiva Schaffer's The Naked Gun reboot. Fans and celebrities alike subsequently expressed joy over the Anderson/Neeson pairing. However, recent reports surfaced and suggested the relationship was staged as part of the movie’s brilliantly coordinated marketing push. Now, insiders are now speaking out to set the record straight.

According to a report by People, sources close to the actors insist that the relationship is very real. One unnamed individual told the outlet:

After the high-profile pairing was first reported on, it sparked speculation in regard to whether it was real or staged. However, another source reassured People that the romance is genuine, adding:

The clarification comes after TMZ published a report this week, which claimed that publicists for Neeson, 73, and Anderson, 58, manufactured the pairing to coincide with the release of The Naked Gun. The outlet even alleged the actors had never gone on a one-on-one date, a claim another insider dismissed as “ridiculous.” Back in late July, a source connected to the flick shared with People that Anderson and Neeson were in the “early days” of a growing romance.

As for the couple's recently released reboot, it sees Neeson star as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s original bumbling cop of the ’80s spoof comedy series. Anderson plays Beth, a femme fatale character who becomes entangled with Drebin during his investigation into her brother’s death. It was that on-screen chemistry that fanned the fames of rumors of an off-screen connection.

At the film’s New York premiere on July 28, the two actors even blended their families on the red carpet, posing with their children from previous relationships. Liam Neeson attended with his sons, Micheál, 30, and Daniel, 28, while Anderson was joined by her sons Brandon, 29, and Dylan, 27. The following morning, during a joint appearance on NBC’s Today show and posted to their official Instagram, the co-stars playfully pretended to be caught making out, a moment that only fueled chatter about whether the romance was real or part of a promotional gag.

Anderson has hinted at the depth of the connection. In an Entertainment Weekly cover story earlier in July, she said:

Though skepticism continues to circulate online, the actors’ friends and colleagues remain firm in their insistence that the relationship is authentic. Both Neeson and Anderson are household names with decades-long careers and, as insiders point out, neither star needs a manufactured romance to stay relevant.

What seems certain, however, is that the pair is enjoying their time together off-screen, while audiences are embracing their chemistry on-screen. Not only that, but The Naked Gun was been praised by critics since its release. Fans can still catch Anderson and Neeson’s budding romance on the big screen, as the film continues its theatrical run. Check your local listings for showtimes.

Liam Neeson has considered getting out of the action game, with his first comedy in over a decade being The Naked Gun reboot. However, we can’t forget about the Irish actor’s life-changing role in Taken, which led to a string of leading roles in many other action movies. While it’s shocking enough that Neeson said he was “embarrassed” by the action flick, I’m more focused on the funny favor he’s done for his sons’ friends who are fans of the Taken franchise.

Not only did Liam Neeson kick serious ass in the Taken movies, but his portrayal as one of the best action movie dads also has to come from the infamous phone message scene that Bryan Mills sent to his daughter’s kidnapper. The Phantom Menace actor admitted to The NY Times that he was “a tiny bit embarrassed” by Taken, but here's what he said about the funny favor he did for his sons’ friends:

Hey, that’s the price you pay for successfully pulling off such a convincingly threatening voice, right? Liam Neeson’s sons must feel pretty lucky to have a cool dad who can pull fun favors like that for his fans. Sure, there have been many action movie characters who threaten their foes to their faces, but the Bryan Mills didn’t even have to look his daughter’s kidnapper in the eye to send a message that his daughter would be rescued.

It’s true that Neeson had no idea Taken would literally take off the way it did. Originally describing the action-thriller series as “corny,” the Northern Ireland native thought Taken was going to go straight-to-video. But with the franchise cementing his career as an action star, it’s proof that the projects you least expect can have a positive impact on your career.

The Oscar nominee’s sons’ friends wouldn’t be the only ones who loved Taken’s infamous phone speech. One father used Liam Neeson’s speech to scare his lazy kids into doing their chores. The Chronicles of Narnia actor also made a hysterical prank phone call as Bryan Mills to his Taken on-screen daughter’s ex-boyfriend. If you got a phone call like that from the Taken character, you know you’d want to run for the hills.

Not to mention, talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Graham Norton Show have requested the talented actor to do the film’s iconic phone speech for a live audience. I love it when one key scene in a movie can resonate so well with an audience that it becomes celebrated long after its release; or in this case, get hit with many voicemail message requests.

Liam Neeson is clearly a great dad to his kids, just like his Taken character, if he’s willing to leave voicemails to his sons’ friends as Bryan Mills. A movie character may not want to be on the receiving end of an “I will find you…” message, but fans clearly would love to be “threatened” by the award-winning actor. You can re-watch Neeson’s signature phone scene in Taken by streaming it with a Disney+ subscription.

There’s a lot of fun to be had with this summer’s releases on both the big and small screens, and you don’t have to look much further than one of the box office’s current top movies to see that. The Naked Gun reboot with Liam Neeson has seen raucous crowds, which is great to hear after it had such a hilarious marketing scheme. As great as those promos were, though, the police spoof may have some unexpected competition from the Wednesday Season 2 billboards.

Wednesday Season 2 Executes ‘Perfect Advertising’ Scheme

The second season of Jenna Ortega’s Addams Family-based series hit the 2025 TV schedule earlier this month and can currently be streamed with a Netflix subscription. If you haven’t tuned in for the latest adventures at Nevermore Academy, however, the streamer is doing big things to pique your interest. Check out the billboards that one fan posted to Instagram:

How great is that? On the left side of the highway is a billboard that shows Emma Myers as Wednesday’s polar opposite roommate Enid Sinclair. She’s making a heart with her fingers as she stands in front of a pink background with the words:

Pan across to the right side of the highway, and we get Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams on a black billboard and the words written in white:

The only thing not perfect about this setup is the potential for drivers to get distracted by the brilliance and not keep their focus on the road. But then again, Wednesday sure would love to cause a crash, wouldn’t she? So maybe even that aspect is perfect. Fans showed their love for the campaign in the comments, writing:

• It's giving "Someone's going to die." "Of fun!” – vocaltomes
• 🤣🤣🤣 Such perfect opposites – vmgonz_91
• Genius 👏 – butterflynova
• Woooo, that's perfect 👌 😍😂 – motty2116

I thought I was spoiled after The Naked Gun marketing, but now I’m definitely going to need other shows and movies to step up their games.

The Naked Gun Had Its Own Goofy Promos

I’d say the Wednesday billboards are more surprising than The Naked Gun promos, because anyone who’s seen the WTF original movie from 1988 knows the high level of silliness the sequel was going for. Along with making a deep-cut reference with its Beaver Bucket for popcorn, the marketing for the movie starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson included ironic billboards that read:

Yes, it’s ridiculous, and it’s just that kind of ridiculousness that earned The Naked Gun a 4-star review from CinemaBlend.

With Wednesday leaning more into the horror genre for its second season — and with the series already considered one of the best shows to binge on Netflix — I’d say hopes are pretty high for Season 2.

The Naked Gun is in theaters now, while the first four episodes of Wednesday Season 2 have already hit the 2025 Netflix schedule. The final four will drop on the streamer Wednesday, September 3.

If you had told me The Naked Gun movie would be one of those memorable 2025 movie releases for me a few months ago, I have to say, I would be rather surprised. But, here we are. I had so much fun going to see the Liam Neeson comedy during opening weekend with a packed crowd, and the experience is actually making me rethink my rather low view of spoof movies. Let’s get into it.

I Had A Blast At Going To See The Naked Gun In Theaters

After a memorable pre-release campaign and seeing the rave response from critics (including through our The Naked Gun review), I decided to check out the new release in its first weekend. And for context, yes, I’ve seen spoof movies like the original The Naked Gun, Airplane! and so forth growing up, but they never really landed any strong impression on me prior.

This movie is so popular, I actually had to trade my tickets for another showing the day I saw it because someone took my seats and it was too packed to go anywhere else but the front row. Anyways, once we were seated, I found myself really enjoying the experience of seeing it on the big screen. Not because there’s some crazy big set pieces to enjoy, but because it was so dang fun to see how audiences would react to the myriad of jokes throughout the movie. Some would get an overwhelming amount of laughter, but what really got me was when a single person would laugh about one joke that went over the rest of our heads, or just louder than everyone else.

It was a really communal experience at the movie theater that took me by surprise because I realized it was a rare one for me. Usually when I go and watch big movies in theaters, it’s more about the thrills, but there’s so many wild jokes that a big part of the fun was through the specific energy from those sitting around me. And, I think it’d be good for repeated viewings to see what each crowd is like.

I’ve Never Gone Out Of My Way To See A Spoof Movie, But The Experience Has Changed Things For Me

If I had seen The Naked Gun for the first time at home, I’m sure I would have still had a good time with it, but I would be missing that element of the experience that really added a little something else. With that in mind, it made me realize that the spoof movies I’ve watched have generally been viewed at home, and I didn’t understand a major element of value they have when they are initially released. And hey, I didn’t grow up in a generation where comedies were widely watched in theaters like they were in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

There’s a shock factor of spoof movies that haven’t appealed to me, but guys, I get it now! It’s really entertaining to see what jokes one person gets and really puts off another. (For example, my partner was dying laughing at the sparkling water joke in The Naked Gun, whereas I was a goner for the whole chili dog scene). Now, I’m wondering if I actually want to give them another try, such as going back to the original The Naked Gun or actually giving the Scary Movie franchise another try when the movie hits theaters next year.

Look, I get some people reading this will be like ‘Duh!”, but the fact that I went to see a spoof movie on opening weekend after having a disinterest in them and my whole realization shows the power of The Naked Gun’s campaign. I hope its success and conversations like this could help bring back theatrical comedies into the fold after they’ve been greatly sidelined to streaming in recent years, because as a movie fan, I want more experiences like this in theaters.

Movie fans have known for decades that that Liam Neeson is an immensely talented actor, but it has nonetheless been surprising this past week to witness his gift for performing comedy. The Irish star best known for playing Oskar Schindler and the revenge-seeking Bryan Mills is hilarious and brilliant as he deadpans his way through the extreme goofiness of The Naked Gun – and it makes one wonder what could be next. Might he fully follow in Leslie Nielsen's footsteps and turn spoof into a specialty? Perhaps he could star in a sendup of his action movies like Taken?

The former is still an open question, but we can probably close the door on the latter. CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb asked Liam Neeson about the idea last month during the press day for the critically acclaimed new comedy, and his answer had an interesting evolution – as you can see watching the video above. He goes from being modestly interested in a good take, to joking about it, to deciding that it probably wouldn't be the best idea. Said Neeson,

If, however, that movie did get made, who would be the proper star for it? That's a debate that social media could have for a full day, but Liam Neeson was quick to produce a name:

Whether on purpose or not, it's a funny namedrop when one considers the development history of the new Naked Gun movie. This is a project that has been in the works for over a decade, and has taken multiple different forms. Back in 2013, the property was put in the hands of screenwriters Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, and you can probably guess who was lined up to play the new Frank Drebin: Ed Helms.

Did Liam Neeson know this before providing his answer to the question during the junket? I can't say for certain, but there's a part of me that hopes he did. I want it to be a situation akin to a friend getting a job that you were both going after and them putting in a recommendation for you to get another position at the same company.

As for whether or not the release of The Naked Gun will inspire a new wave of big screen spoof movies, time will tell. The new 2025 release has been on a mission of sorts to save comedy, and while it landed in third place at the box office during its opening weekend, it ended up earning on the higher end of projected ticket sales and it has plenty of buzz. It has some substantial competition arriving in theaters tomorrow in the form of Weapons and Freakier Friday, but word of mouth will hopefully keep it afloat and keep cinemas filled with the sound of hysterical laughter.

In 1993, Jurassic Park hit theaters to teach us all the consequences of playing God. Through six sequels, that lesson continued to be hammered home with dinosaurs of varying cuteness, and blockbuster thrills, but humanity still hasn’t learned. With the 2026 movie schedule starting to come into focus, perhaps next year will be when we decide to stop tampering with scientific breakthroughs; especially when one of our teachers this time is Liam “The Naked Gun” Neeson.

Welcome to the world of Cold Storage, a 2019 novel from David Koepp, the notable screenwriter from the Jurassic Park universe. Adapting his own novel for the screen, Koepp’s tale of a contagion that could end the world sounds a lot like Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain. However, as you’ll see in the trailer provided below, this new tale puts more of a Slither style spin on things:

Will our Taken hero calming and/or threatening someone over the phone ever stop being amusing? The not-so-serious tone of Cold Storage certainly helps intrigue me into investing in this picture, as it allows Liam Neeson to be very non-chalant about his heroism. It’s not quite the flat-out goofiness I praised in my Naked Gun review, but that’s not a knock.

Rather, it’s a way to set expectations for this upcoming horror/comedy ride, which is so adjacent to Neeson’s action hero era that it feels like a knowing parody in its own right. "But, Mike," you're probably asking your screen, "what about Liam Neeson's supposed action movie retirement? Also, I was promised zombies! Where are the zombies?"

Well, I suppose we can get to the subject of how Stranger Things' Joe Keery and Broadchurch alum Georgina Campbell have to contend with that nightmarish contagion, especially when it seems to do everything from decay its victims to making them outright explode. Those of you squeamish around gore (no matter how green it may be) may want to skip over the next image:

Yeah, that’s what we’re dealing with here, folks: a good old fashioned desert outbreak of a lab-created nightmare, with a handful of people standing between us and extinction. If that’s not a Michael Crichton-coded adventure, then my name is Liam Neeson. Except it isn’t… and I totally know what I’m talking about here.

2026 already looked like a fantastic year for upcoming book to movie adaptations, and that’s just me echoing the enthusiasm surrounding Project Hail Mary’s recent trailer alone. If David Koepp has engineered a dark comedy that takes Crichton bioethics and splices them with a James Gunn-style sensibility, with Mr. Neeson playing a deadpan supporting character, then sign me up.

Unfortunately, Cold Storage doesn’t have a release date just yet, so we’ll have to sit tight for more information. However, with the trailer being released this early, that could be a sign that the studio is bullish on what it's got in the can. So try to contain your excitement by seeing something already on the 2025 movie calendar; like, say, The Naked Gun, which is currently in theaters.

Pamela Anderson may not have been able to join Naked Gun 33 ½ due to scheduling conflicts at the time, but it’s a good thing for everyone that her casting worked out for the spoof franchise''s legacy-quel. Not only did she get to show off her comedic skills on the big screen, but the film sparked her romance with current boyfriend, Liam Neeson. If you want more proof that The Naked Gun co-stars are swoonworthy together, Neeson just complimented Anderson’s “sourdough” and it’s making me gush.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s absolutely the case for The Naked Gun’s Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. While talking to Sirius XM about their time in the 2025 movie release, she talked about cooking being one of her hobbies, and the Taken actor got real about being won over by the Baywatch actress’s “sourdough.” And I’m definitely talking about actual sourdough bread, since that would make for a disturbing euphemism.

Unlike what you’d find in their new parody movie, there's no food innuendo on display here. Liam Neeson is truly in awe of Pamela Anderson’s sourdough recipe. That’s the cutest thing to see a man confidently praise his girlfriend’s cooking with Anderson blushing in response.

I’m sure there’s no argument here about what a great cook Pamela Anderson is. The Canadian-American actress does have her own cooking show for Canada’s Flavour Network called Pamela’s Cooking with Love. The cooking series features Anderson and other chefs on Vancouver Island making plant-based dishes. So, I’m sure the actress’s baked goods are just as yummy.

An insider claimed that Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson reportedly get along so well and enjoy each other’s company. The Last Showgirl actress continued to talk about bringing delicious baked goods on set, which I'm sure helped win the Irish actor over:

Fresh sourdough bread and muffins? Yeah, Liam Neeson didn’t stand a chance against Pamela Anderson’s baking. The Home Improvement vet said the Star Wars actor had a “very special” muffin he liked....and nope, still nothing sexual here. As she was talking about one filled with bran and molasses.

If I keep talking about Liam Neeson loving Pamela Anderson’s muffins, I’ll keep flashing back to one of SNL’s funniest sketches involving suggestive food lines, NPR’s Delicious Dish. But hey, it’s the perfect thing to talk about when promoting a movie centered on hilarious innuendos, even if the two co-stars are talking about the real deal.

Seeing Liam Neeson sending high praises to Pamela Anderson’s “sourdough” and bran muffins warms my heart. Their romantic banter off-set is already giving me rom-com vibes in the best, most unexpected way. With all of the chemistry the two share in one radio interview, I’m even more psyched to see what the dynamic pairing will bring to The Naked Gun in theaters now.

Although the TV show Police Squad was cancelled in 1982 after just six episodes, the hilarious hijinks of Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin lived on with the Naked Gun film series that began six years later. Now, over 30 years after Nielsen last played the character, Liam Neeson is playing Frank Drebin Jr. in the simply-named The Naked Gun.

The 2025 movie release has earned a lot of positive critical reception and gotten off to a solid start at the box office this past weekend. Now David Zucker, the director of the original Naked Gun, has shared a supportive message in response to the comedy flick’s success. That said, he still has “no intention” to ever see the new Naked Gun, though his explanation for why doesn’t come from a place of ill will whatsoever.

David Zucker Is Glad The Comedy Is Performing Well In Theaters

The Naked Gun came in 3rd place for its opening weekend, trailing behind The Fantastic Four: First Steps coming in at #1 again and The Bad Guys 2 resting in the #2 spot. Still, a $17 million opening for a movie like this is nothing to sneeze at, especially in an age where it’s rarer for comedies to get silver screen runs. Zucker pointed that out to THR, saying:

The Naked Gun was directed by The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer, whose previous filmmaking credits include Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers. While it remains to be seen if the fourth Naked Gun movie will “save comedy” like that PSA amusingly promised, clearly Schaffer’s work paid off. CinemaBlend’s own Mike Reyes is among the movie’s supporters, giving a 4/5 score in his The Naked Gun review. It’s good to hear that David Zucker is pleased with this success and has been in contact with Schaffer about that, especially given his comments from May.

David Zucker Isn’t Interested In Sequels To His Movies Helmed By Other People

Back in May, David Zucker revealed that he turned down a producer credit on The Naked Gun after being displeased with the script. While it sounds like his stance has softened a bit since then, the director behind other spoofs like Airplane! And Top Secret! still isn’t interested in seeing another person’s vision for a property he previously worked on. As he explained:

The Naked Gun 4 had been in development stretching back to the late 2000s, and at one point David Zucker was working on a script with Pat Proft and Mike McManus that would have followed Frank Drebin’s thirty-something son. There was also a time when Ed Helms was attached to lead a more straightforward reboot. But ultimately it’s the Liam Neeson-led version that came together, and while it’s not as though Zucker was rooting for the new movie to fail, he doesn’t care to see how it turned out because it’s not the kind of Naked Gun 4 he wanted to make.

While David won’t be seated in a theater to witness the comedy on display in The Naked Gun, the rest of you can do so now. Liam Neeson is joined onscreen by Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter, CCH Pounder, Danny Huston and Kevin Durand, among others, and hopefully become available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription before the year is over.

While the Star Wars prequels have received a critical reevaluation in recent years, it’s hard to argue that the movies don’t have some glaring flaws. Liam Neeson is not one of the problems in the movie. His portrayal of Qui-Gon Jinn is still hailed by many within the fandom. As for the actor himself, his biggest issue with the film may actually relate to his character's demise. While Neeson doesn’t seem to mind that his character died in general, he's now explaining why he doesn't like the way in which Qui-Gon is killed off.

Neeson looked back at his career during a recent video segment for GQ. As part of that, the star of the hilarious new Naked Gun movie talked about his experience on Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. He says he loved making the movie, but he questions just how great a Jedi his character actually was due to being taken down by Darth Maul in such a way. Neeson joked…

The lightsaber battle that includes Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul is frequently voted the best of the lightsaber fights in all of Star Wars. However, it's hard to agree with any discontentment over how it ends for Liam Neeson’s character. Maul may have a cool double-bladed lightsaber but, when it comes to a one-on-one fight between the two, Qui-Gon gets beaten pretty cleanly and fairly. It’s not like Maul did something underhanded or even particularly impressive.

Although, even if Liam Neeson doesn’t love the way his character went out, he says he still had a lot of fun being in the movie. With The Phantom Menace being the first Star Wars movie to have released in years by 1999, it was a big deal for the people who grew up as fans to become part of the franchise. Neeson says he and co-star Ewan McGregor both got excited when they first unleashed their lightsabers, saying…

There’s a long and storied history of actors making lightsaber sounds, and blaster sounds when using the iconic weapons in Star Wars movies. The same thing happened with Laura Dern during the sequel trilogy. Kudos to them for living out their childhood dreams.

As for Liam Neeson’s Qui Gon Jinn, he briefly returned during the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription. However, it seems unlikely we’ll ever see more from the character beyond the potential future cameo. Regardless of how they feel about Jinn's death scene, though, fans can also go back and appreciate the strong performance Neeson gives in The Phantom Menace.

The highly anticipated The Naked Gun reboot just dropped this weekend, and I’ve been super excited to catch the 2025 movie release in theaters. It’s as funny as I expected, but what surprised me was the chemistry between Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson—both on and off the screen! It’s been all over the news, and now there are rumors that they might be dating for real. It looks like their relationship is the real deal, and celebs like Jessica Alba and Macaulay Culkin are sharing their sweet reactions to the new power couple.

The former Baywatch star took to her official Instagram account to share some wonderfully artistic and fun, black-and-white images of her with her co-star, and potential new man, Liam Neeson (for You Magazine), to promote The Naked Gun. Anderson included the caption “The Naked Gun is finally in theatres! Bring your friends, family, lovers… whoever… just go and have a laugh… It’s good for you! I’ll see you there 🤍🍿”

Some of the most cynical amongst us might think that this budding romance is just a "fauxmance" intended to promote the couple's new movie, but friends and insiders seem to disagree. The comments on Anderson's social media post are filled with fellow celebrities expressing their support for the two. Let's take a look at some of the best comments:

• Jessica Alba: “❤❤❤”
• Macaulay Culkin: “Want it. Have it… So very happy for you.”
• Patti Smith: “You two are great💜”
• Emma Slater: “I’m obsessed with these two 😍”
• The Naked Gun Movie: “Our favorite duo on and off-screen!”
• Joely Richardson: “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

One of the comments that's particularly sweet is the one above from Joely Richardson, the sister of Neeson's late wife, Natasha. As heartwarming as the comments on social media are, the best came from Andy Cohen. On his SiriusXM show Radio Andy, Cohen weighed in on the rumored romance between his good friend, Liam Neeson, and his co-star, Pamela Anderson. Cohen, who was also a close friend of Natasha, shared:

The Bravo host recalled speaking with the Kinsey star at The Naked Gun premiere party, highlighting the similarities between Anderson and Richardson. Cohen remembered saying to Neeson:

Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson were married from 1994 until her tragic passing in 2009. She died at just 45 as a result of a skiing accident in Quebec. Since then, the A-Team alum has stayed single, but many people, including Cohen and other celebrities, believe he deserves to find happiness again. Also, if his chemistry with Pam Anderson is any indication, he might be finally finding it.

You can experience the “budding romance” for yourself, as their comedy is now playing in theaters. The movie was generating significant buzz ahead of its release this weekend, with early reactions declaring it the “funniest film” in quite some time. CinemaBlend’s review confidently affirms that The Naked Gun “sticks the landing” in reviving the franchise. Whether the lead actors' romance is real or part of the flick’s brilliant marketing strategy, this is undeniably one of the must-see action movies of the year. Check it out in theaters now!

I was very skeptical of the new Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson, when it was announced as part of the 2025 movie schedule. I grew up a child of the ‘80s, and the original Naked Gun series, especially the first one, was right in my wheelhouse. I’m tired of Gen X nostalgia, so I didn’t think I’d bother even watching this new re-imagining of the classic franchise.

Luckily, I have now seen it and all my worries were set aside. The Naked Gun is really funny, and smartly, the filmmakers didn’t try to compete with the original in the sheer number of jokes being thrown at the audience. It’s the smartest thing they could have done.

The Original Naked Gun Is Jokes On Top Of Jokes On Top Of Jokes

Jim Abrahams, along with brothers Jerry and David Zucker, collectively known as Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker, were the geniuses behind the original Naked Gun starring Leslie Neilson. They also created the TV show Police Squad!, which was the short-lived TV show that eventually spawned the franchise. The trio are also the creative geniuses behind Airplane! and Top Secret! They sure did love exclamation points!

What Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker were so good at was layering jokes on top of jokes. Every scene in their original movie is crammed with multiple jokes, often at the same time, and they all work together brilliantly. It’s something that is incredibly difficult to get right, and they nailed it far more often than they didn’t. It wasn’t enough to have a funny line of dialogue; there also had to be a sight gag going on, and another sight gag happening in the background.

I’ve never counted the jokes in the original, but there have to be well over 150 in just under 90 minutes. The new film on the other hand, doesn’t try to go toe-to-toe on sheer volume, and it works really well.

Trying To Match The Original Would Have Been A Mistake

There are plenty of jokes in the new one, and Liam Neeson is the perfect choice as Frank Drebin, Jr. There are tons of jokes and gags (plus some wonderful homages to the original), and they all match the tone of the predecessor perfectly. What there isn’t, is nearly as many layers of jokes. There are a few, but the filmmakers behind the new one really pick and chose when to ratchet up the joke density. This was the best decision they could have made when mapping out the movie.

Trying to match Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker is a mistake that quite a few movies have attempted – and generally failed at – since the trio first started making hits in the late ‘70s. It’s like someone trying to be Mel Brooks. There is a special talent that they had that means trying to mimic it will only lead to failure. Instead, the new one has all the vibes that The Naked Gun had in 1988, but doesn’t collapse under the weight of the sheer volume of gags.

The new Naked Gun works really well, and it’s really funny, and it’s the restraint the filmmakers used that makes it both.

As The Naked Gun legacyquel hits theaters at the beginning of August, the 2025 movie schedule is about to find itself under arrest…with laughter. Since the schtick seen in the classic Leslie Nielsen trilogy needed some updating for a new generation, I was afraid that some of my favorite sorts of humor would be lost in the shuffle.

Seeing as the first Naked Gun screening reactions saw audiences "in tears," I had a feeling we were all in good hands. By the time the credits rolled on the Liam Neeson/Pamela Anderson fronted revamp, my worries were put aside. Which makes it even more appropriate, as the credits themselves were what I was concerned with.

The Naked Gun’s Tradition Of Crazy Credits Lives!

To some, a gag as simple as joke credits wouldn’t feel like a necessary inclusion in reviving this comedic institution. Of course, those are probably the people who only watched the first movie and never bothered to use their Paramount+ subscription to catch both sequels.

Were they to have seen the full smash, they’d realize that crazy credits are a staple of this saga. As you can read in my Naked Gun review, that subtle humor is quite inspiring - though if you're thinking too hard about any particular joke for more than four hours, consult a joke book.

I’m not just talking about fake names or positions in the crew here, either. At one point during The Naked Gun’s roll call, the credit for the “On Set Dresser” was followed by one for an “On Set Bureau - IKEA.” Another portion saw an entire eye chart included, with the message “You don’t need glasses” displayed at the very bottom.

It’s that level of Leslie Nielsen-style tomfoolery the previous pictures were known for, and to see that upheld warmed my heart. That fuzzy feeling was after the end credits kicked off with yet another deep cut tradition - one that reaches all the way back to the short-lived TV show Police Squad!

Police Squad’s Classic Freeze Frame Gag Got An Update

At the end of the episodes in the ABC series that gave way to The Naked Gun, we’d see Frank Drebin Sr. (Leslie Nielsen) and any other character standing with him seemingly left on a freeze frame. The big difference was that the rest of the scene carried on around them, while they stood as still as they could in the name of laughter.

To see what I’m talking about, you can literally watch all of the classic Epilogue gags in the reel below (since Police Squad isn’t available through subscription streaming):

Now I’m not going to spoil how The Naked Gun updates this gag, but as the credits start to roll, Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson engage in this time-tested punchline in some exciting ways. Not even the original trilogy used that old saw when closing things out, so to reach into the vault of deep cut traditions and bring this back really shows the love that was poured into this latest bite at the apple.

Reflecting on this with a friend of mine who’d also seen the film, my colleague was thinking up other traditions that should be brought back for potential Naked Gun sequels. So while I’ll still be watching out for the credits, I’m crossing my fingers that Andy Samberg (who approves of this reboot) and Jorma Taccone (whereabouts unknown) somehow show up as twin shoe-shine boys who double as informants.

Meanwhile, you need to be sure to really watch the credits for The Naked Gun, which is in theaters now! Oh, and there is a post-credits stinger that we need to talk about, but that can wait for another day.

As we’ve been anticipating The Naked Gun reboot’s release being among the 2025 movies finally out in theaters this weekend, Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s chemistry has been making headlines. So much so that there’s now rumors out there that the co-stars have started dating in real life after meeting on the set of the action comedy. A new report has revealed the alleged sweet reasons why the pair are getting along so well.

Star Magazine is the latest to claim “very real” magnetism between 73-year-old Liam Neeson and 58-year-old Pamela Anderson. Per their insider, here’s why the couple are so electric together:

Apparently they both are huge bookworms in the avenue of classic literature and have really bonded over their common interest. Plus, they both have two sons around the same age, and that has become a “favorite topic” between the two of them to commiserate about.

Liam Neeson’s sons, Micheál and Daniel, are 30 and 28, respectively, which he shared with late wife Natasha Richardson, who sadly passed away back in 2009. Since her death, Neeson has only been attached to one other partner, PR executive Freya St. Johnson back in 2012, per Digital Spy. The Taken actor had other high-profile relationships prior to his 15-year marriage with Richardson. He was previously attached to the likes of Helen Mirren, Brooke Shields and Barbra Streisand.

Pamela Anderson on the other hand, has a 29-year-old son named Brandon and a 27-year-old son named Jagger with famed ex Tommy Lee. Her last reported relationship was with her former bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst. They divorced back in 2022 after two years of marriage. Regarding Neeson and Anderson’s new romance, the insider also said this:

Perhaps the writing was on the wall starting in October 2024 when Neeson said he was “madly in love” with Anderson during an interview with People, and she in turn called him “a perfect gentleman” who “brings out the best in you.” While they were simply talking about their working relationship at the time, when Anderson gave Neeson a peck on the neck at the London premiere of the movie last week, rumors really started rolling.

On Tuesday, People then reported they are a couple, calling it a “budding romance” in its “early stages.” Then on The Today Show, this happened:

The Naked Gun has been getting good buzz ahead of its release this weekend, with first reactions calling it the “funniest flick” in a while and CinemaBlend’s own The Naked Gun review saying the movie does “stick the landing” in regards to bringing the franchise back. Whether these two are really together, or it’s all part of The Naked Gun’s amazing marketing campaign, this looks like one of the upcoming action movies we can’t miss.

I believe someone once said that legacyquels and comedies share a common thread: they’re more difficult to manage than a child in a sugar rush. The moment the Seth MacFarlane-produced version of The Naked Gun was announced, that sort of “wisdom” was probably ringing in people’s ears. To try and recapture the manic energy of Leslie Nielsen and the Police Squad! legacy is something many – even the architects that built the franchise – have tried and failed at over the years.

Sometimes conventional wisdom needs to be heeded, and sometimes it needs to step aside and let Liam Neeson eat five chili dogs in the name of fighting crime, no matter the consequences. Well, this is definitely a time where that sort of “wisdom” can stuff it, as The Naked Gun is a pure and beautiful return to form – just over 30 years since the franchise last wore its badge at a theater near you.

You can’t really “spoil” a Naked Gun movie because the plot is pretty much the same thing for most of the films. Cop (Liam Neeson) meets Girl (Pamela Anderson), Cop meets Villain (Danny Huston), Villain has a plan that’s fishy enough for Cop to investigate, but covert enough to make the suspicious Cop look like a loose cannon.

Writers Dan Gregor & Doug Mand, along with co-writer/director Akiva Schaffer, don’t reinvent the wheel with their spin on the Zuckers-Abrahams-Zucker school of schtick. However, this isn’t your father’s Naked Gun (put that back where you found it!) While the silliness and slapstick are still present, this series has evolved with the times – which helps it stick the landing in delivering something familiar enough to watch with your parents but new enough to enjoy with your friends.

The “new version” of The Naked Gun knows when to update and when to stick to the classics.

Rebooting The Naked Gun would have been a fool’s errand, though admittedly an equally effective opportunity to sending up modern Hollywood. A legacyquel means that the story doesn’t need to compete or one-up its classic predecessors, but rather it just needs to update the humor for today’s sensibilities. That means the raunchy is toned down (a bit), and the off-color humor is refocused into other areas you can safely laugh along with at an NPR-sponsored screening.

More important than that is the fact that Liam Neeson’s turn at bat doesn’t forget to pack in jokes where other parodies may fear to tread: in the sight gags. The legacy trilogy and its six-episode source material (the short-lived TV series Police Squad!), were always chock full of offbeat background action, visual inconsistencies, and end credits packed with crazy jokes. In a slim and trim 85 minute running time, “the new version” packs as much humor as it can into every moment it can find, and it’s never forced.

Even something as typically “simple” as the soundtrack is maximized for chuckles thanks to veteran action composer Lorne Balfe combining touches from his time on films like Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning with the classic noir touches The Naked Gun requires.

There’s even a brand new version of Ira Newborn’s classic Police Squad! theme that enlists musician Gordon Goodwin to help bring its larger than life melody back to play. Considering he did the same for 2008’s Get Smart adaptation, you couldn’t have found better hands to put that baton in.

The Naked Gun stacks the deck with a cast ready for anything, and Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s comedic chemistry leads the way.

Comedy, especially that of the parody subgenre, needs an ensemble that believes in the cause from frame one and never breaks. With that criteria in mind, you could say that the cast of The Naked Gun are the most hardened jokesters this side of the camera – which begins with the electric pair that is Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.

Neeson has been warming up for this gig over time with roles in The LEGO Movie and cameos in Ted 2; as well as studying Leslie Nielsen’s past works rather thoroughly. He doesn’t try to totally channel the stoicism that his predecessor possessed, allowing for a little more silliness to peek through in his Frank Drebin, Jr. It’s the sort of distance that’s needed when trying to execute a vision such as The Naked Gun.

Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson might be the actor that’s considered the “surprising standout” of the cast. I’d partially agree, as anyone who’s followed her career over the years will see that the only thing different with The Naked Gun is that the folks in charge gave her the largest comedy canvas she’s ever painted on here. Consider the woman Bob Ross, as Anderson is up for all of the shenanigans expected of her.

Rounding out this cast of crushers are veteran character actors like Danny Huston and Kevin Durand (who show off villainy that walks that fine line between silly and sinister), Paul Walter Hauser (continuing a run of scene stealing he started this summer with The Fantastic Four: First Steps), and CCH Pounder. The latter's casting is another case of how much this picture trusts its audience, as you’re expected to know her role from The Shield, but she’s not expected to offer a pale imitation of that dramatic piece.

A lean and mean reminder of why parody comedy is so beloved, The Naked Gun aims for big laughs and doesn’t miss.

What most surprised me about The Naked Gun is the fact that all involved were able to resurrect the ZAZ school of rapid fire comedy. The pacing in the dialogue is zippy, pithy, and able to convince you that Liam Neeson and Danny Huston’s riff on the Black Eyed Peas is really talking about high art. On top of the easter eggs, sight gags, and score, the frequency/hit rate on this saga hasn’t lost pace for a second.

The Naked Gun is put together with a love for the original property, a cutting sense of humor about modern times, and an impish smile permanently etched on its face. Comedy is back in theaters, and like a stand up comedian at a bridal shower, it’s as beautiful as it is hilarious.

If there was ever a movie that could convince you a beloved recording star would agree to a residency in an apocalyptic bunker in a cameo that pays off in the end credits stinger, it’s this one. Isn’t that what America, and the world, need right about now? (Outside of world peace, economic stability, and a Nintendo console with a controller doesn't drift right out of the box.)

If there’s a thread to bind the entire story I’m about to tell you, it’s that comedy just isn’t what it used to be. However, the 2025 movie schedule could change that - especially if The Naked Gun reboot becomes the hit some are predicting it’ll be.

As someone who was sold after watching Liam Neeson’s first teaser for the movie, the marketing has only continued to convince me that this legacy-quel is doing right by the franchise. After the above ad ended with what feels like a huge tribute to one of Leslie Nielsen’s favorite practical jokes, my excitement for this movie has only grown.

Liam Neeson’s “Save Comedy” Plea Is Seriously Funny

As you saw in the video, the cause of saving comedy is poking fun at something people have actually noticed in the past couple of years. Theatrical comedy releases are few and far between these days, with other genres taking up the screens. Which is why The Naked Gun marketing department has taken it upon itself to create a mock PSA, using clips from beloved Paramount+ subscription-ready comedies like Anchorman, Tropic Thunder and Tommy Boy.

Perhaps the biggest joke in this trailer is the fact that the website SaveComedy.org actually redirects you to buying tickets for The Naked Gun. However, I noticed that neither the original trilogy, nor Airplane! were factored into this reel of classics. Initially that seemed like an oversight, but in light of another observation I made through this ad’s content, I think there’s a bigger reason at work.

The Fart Gag At The End Has To Be A Reference To Leslie Nielsen’s Fart Device

For there to be no Leslie Nielsen moments highlighted in The Naked Gun’s PSA seems like a travesty, doesn’t it? At least, that would appear to be the case until Liam Neeson is shown to have a slight case of gas at the end of his pitch to Save Comedy. Just like all the fans who are loving The Naked Gun’s goofy ad campaign, I must salute whomever decided to cheek sneak that Bronx Cheer at the end of this reel.

That's because it’s the biggest tribute one could pay to Mr. Nielsen’s nature as a practical joker. To prove this point, please enjoy this reel of Leslie Nielsen and his infamous fart “device” at work throughout various interviews during his career:

That distinction is important, as Cracked’s in-depth history on this practice saw friend and journalist Gino Salomone offer the correct terminology. If this ad can do its part to honor Leslie Nielsen’s legacy as a comedian and fart device practitioner, we fans need to show the same dedication, with the correct terminology.

Don’t worry, you have plenty of time to study up before The Naked Gun hits theaters on August 1st. Maybe you can buy your own fart device before opening night, and bring a little bit of Mr. Nielsen with you to celebrate. Or you could get yourself a Naked Gun popcorn bucket instead and do pretty much the same thing, minus the sound effects and hard stares.

The upcoming The Naked Gun flick has seemingly pulled all of the best parts from the OG dated 1980s movie franchise for its new installment. Of course, this praise and love for the incoming August 1 title is based on their marketing campaign! The ridiculous trailer was enough to hype me up about the Liam Neeson iteration but the other various, silly materials to promote the legacy sequel’s premiere has me and the internet on board. The Bingo board, that is.

Essentially from the jump of the 2025 movie guide, we’ve gotten a glimpse of the torch of the iconic comedy being passed to Neeson and company. With each humorously self-aware bit, a decent laugh has quickly followed for many of us in IRL and on the internet. Case and point: @NoContextSpoof’s shared an image from Sandlerverse’s X showcasing a promo billboard. Again a nice wry moment sits at a busy city corner sporting an aptly goofy line: “Honk if you hate noise violations.” Check it out here:

It’s just so good and reflective of the OG’s spirit. And, with each week we're just getting more gems, including the incredible deepcut popcorn bucket. Wherever it’s coming from, they’ve done their job! Possible culprits include co-writer and director, Akiva Schaffer’s (a member of The Lonely Island trio) and producer Seth MacFarlane’s overall vision, Leslie Nielsen and the old squad’s vibes or a wild combo of the two with a sprinkle of some unknown suits, A+ work.

As mentioned, many are making some (honking) noise for how good the sneak peek has been, including online loving the pre-release campaign too. From the poster’s excitement of MacFarlane’s production company interacting with him to direct shoutouts to the ad team–here’s just a sampling of fans' feelings.

• Holy Crap Lois! This is even cooler than the time Seth MacFarlane’s production company’s Twitter account liked my tweet - @NoContextSpoof
• Don't know about the movie yet, but the marketing team knows what the series is about. - @alekzhertz
• Genius! [hand clapping emojis] - @bonniegrrl
• [gif of honking horn] - @willmgreenhalgh

The raving over pre-content seems like it will only shift gears into more love for the legacy sequel. That is, if it even slightly resembles the screenings that have moviegoers in tears (of laughter). I do have a pretty good feeling about our odds, based off of why production claimed to need Liam Neeson's unique set of acting skills, not to mention the incredible cast of that backs up his Lt. Frank Drebin Jr.

However the movie fares, you know people will be talking about it, and especially so online. But, I really hope the expertly executed goofy pre-show is just the opening act for the new The Naked Gun.

If you can’t wait for the next gen of precinct employees and their various associates, stream the original movie trio with a Paramount+ subscription.

The brilliant comedy of The Naked Gun franchise dates back over four decades, as the original flick was based on the old TV show Police Squad! That may be common knowledge to anyone who grew up watching Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin, but now younger audiences are going to get a chance to familiarize themselves with the crime spoofs. The Naked Gun reboot hits the 2025 movie calendar in a couple of weeks, and people are hitting social media with their first reactions.

Liam Neeson leads the legacy sequel’s cast as Frank Drebin Jr., and the new Naked Gun trailer looks absolutely ridiculous — which is just what fans like myself are hoping for. So what are moviegoers saying after catching early screenings of the movie? JimmyO of JoBlo posts that it’s “consistently funny” from start to finish:

That’s not the only person talking about Pamela Anderson. The Baywatch alum almost appeared in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994, but now 30 years later she’s getting a crack at the spoof series in a co-starring role. Critic Erik Davis says the actress was “perfectly cast,” as he writes:

Jeffrey Vega of IGN very strongly rejects that sentiment, saying that this fourth installment of The Naked Gun franchise proves otherwise. Vega writes:

Katcy Stephan of Variety is also weighing in to say that the new Naked Gun feels a lot like the Leslie Nielsen movies from decades past, posting:

“Deliciously stupid” may not sound like a compliment, but when it comes to The Naked Gun, that is 100% what it should be. Early praise seems to be coming in for both Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, but the reboot features a lot of other big names: Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, Busta Rhymes and Michael Bisping, to name a few. And I can’t wait to see what they bring to the police spoof.

We’ve still got a couple of weeks before this one hits theaters, but it seems like this one is a must-see on the big screen. The Naked Gun is set for release Friday, August 1.

For a moment there, I thought I was the only person hyped for Liam Neeson’s The Naked Gun. At the very least, I was convinced that the 2025 movie release was going to be a legacy-quel that saw me burrowed deep in one of my niches, with few others to speak about it with.

This no longer seems like a concern to me, as if Frank Drebin Jr.’s adventures can land a theatrical popcorn bucket, there's got to be a decent sized fanbase for this picture! No one could have called it, but Regal Cinemas does indeed have its own Naked Gun collectable available for fans like me.

What's more, this is possibly the best option for such a piece linked to Paramount’s upcoming legacy-quel. Fans of Leslie Nielsen’s work in the original trilogy (now streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) are going to be especially please to feast their eyes on this:

Ok, before I enlighten any newcomers on why this is one of the funniest things in existence, I need to take a moment. Silliness such as a plastic beaver, standing in front of a log that literally says “Nice Beaver” is something worth giving a dam(n).

Now that I’ve had my moment, allow me to explain why this isn’t some random innuendo that fits straight into this vision from director Akiva Schaffer and producer Seth MacFarlane. If you’re new to The Naked Gun, but have been lured in with comedy only Liam Neeson could provide, this is actually a reference to the very movie adaptation of the short lived TV program Police Squad!

Here’s the clip in question, which shows Leslie Nielsen having a moment of inspiration with Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer:

The moment The Naked Gun legacy-quel was announced, I was a bit afraid that the cheeky humor of the originals was going to somehow be lacking. Over time trailers and other promotions have proven me wrong, with this new bucket being the ultimate proof that I can loosen up and welcome this new picture with an open heart.

Unfortunately the buttered topping on this movie friendly snack of optimism is a moment that’s not available online at this time. As I went to enjoy Superman’s amazing 4DX screening, myself and the audience were treated to a small rant from Liam Neeson about our concession stand rights.

Peppered with some jokes pertaining to the DC movie we were about to watch, it was yet another example of how this saga keeps its fingers on the pulse of laughter. Should you need a refresher, or just want to soak a little longer in The Naked Gun’s latest gag-filled trailer, you’re covered.

Just make sure you keep in mind that Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson will be standing on business as you sit in the theater, potentially with your own beaver out for convenient movie munching, on August 1st.

If you're a millennial like myself, there's a fair chance that you really only knew Leslie Nielsen for his work in comedy. After the actor starred in David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker's Airplane!, he became an icon in spoof movies, and he continued to make funny films like the Naked Gun trilogy up until his death in 2010. Before 1980, however, Nielsen was best known as the serious star of features like Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure – and it was specifically the history of that mid-career genre switch-up that convinced producer Seth MacFarlane that no actor other than could star in the upcoming Naked Gun legacyquel other than Liam Neeson.

The ability of performers to play their role straight even as events around them get goofier and goofier can make or break a spoof movie, and it very much helps to have serious gravitas in the mix (think about Leslie Nielsen entering the cockpit multiple times in the third act of Airplane! to sternly say, "I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.") In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Seth MacFarlane explained that quality makes Liam Neeson uniquely qualified for the role of Frank Drebin Jr., saying,

There are a number of movies where Liam Neeson is so serious that it is practically frightening... but it only takes a few tweaks from there to create something comedic. As noted in the EW piece, this is perhaps best previously exemplified in a 2011 episode of the comedy Life's Too Short, which features Neeson dramatically insisting that he is a funny actor while in a meeting with Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Warwick Davis.

As evidenced in his casting choices for Ted 2, A Million Ways To Die In The West, The Orville and episodes of Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane likes to shine a light on Neeson's comedic skills, and choosing him to play the lead in The Naked Gun ultimately links back to a spoof philosophy held by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. Said the filmmaker,

It won't be too much longer before we get to see that special gravitas exploited for comedy. Co-starring Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston and more, The Naked Gun is set with an August 1 release date will be playing on the big screen everywhere.

Liam Neeson has made a pretty impressive career out of showing up in movies where you wouldn’t necessarily expect him. Before 2008’s Taken, few would have pegged Neeson as an action hero. Later this summer, he’ll pick up the mantle of the great Leslie Nielsen in a reboot of The Naked Gun, testing his comedy chops like never before. But could you imagine him playing Fezzik in The Princess Bride? I'm not sure I could, and the same seems to have been true of the fantasy film's director.

In actuality, such a casting never came close to happening, according to Neeson. However, he did technically audition for the role. Speaking with EW, Neeson admitted to feeling embarrassed when he showed up to audition, as director Rob Reiner gave him a “look of disgust." As for why the acclaimed filmmaker was less than pleased with him, Neeson said the following:

While Liam Neeson himself was surely a bit upset by the whole experience, he says he actually felt bad for the casting director. The role would, of course, would go to an actual giant in professional wrestler Andre the Giant, who was a full foot taller than Neeson. It’s unclear how many people of Andre’s stature there even were to audition.

Neeson isn’t a small guy, at 6’ 4” tall, but he certainly would have needed significant camera tricks to make him look giant compared to a six-foot-tall Cary Elwes. It’s unclear how Neeson was called in to audition for a role if Reiner only wanted “real” giants for the part of Fezzik. Perhaps other people who weren’t giants had also been called in, leading to more “disgust” from Reiner.

Things certainly turned out fine for Liam Neeson. He would appear in another cult classic, the Sam Raimi-directed film, Darkman, just a couple of years after this failed audition. Also, in 1993, he would star in Schindler’s List, a movie that would see him nominated for an Academy Award and truly launch his career into the stratosphere.

It’s certainly intriguing to wonder how Neeson appearing in The Princess Bride might have impacted the movie, never mind just his career. It would have been one of his biggest roles to date had he been cast. Of course, thefilm initially flopped in theaters before becoming a cult hit on home video later.

The Princess Bride (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) would have been one of the funnier roles in Neeson’s career if he had gotten it. Perhaps it would have led to more comedies earlier. As it stands, though, his new lead role in The Naked Gun will be something we haven’t really seen before, but, at this point, it seems clear Liam Neeson can do anything, except be a giant.

Liam Neeson may be playing Leslie Nielsen’s son in The Naked Gun, but that doesn’t mean he needs to follow in the legendary actor’s footsteps 100%. Paramount’s 2025 movie release that acts as a legacy-quel to the classic franchise definitely has a lot to live up to, especially with such a mythic comedy talent like the Airplane! superstar to live up to.

It could be daunting even for someone like co-writer/director Akiva Schaffer if it wasn’t for the fact that The Lonely Island vet kept one thing in mind with this new send-up. You could boil down Schaffer's new remarks to Empire as simply as saying that he’s going to let Liam be Liam. That would still be a bit of a copout, as the Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers helmer actually invoked Neeson’s Taken catchphrase as the heart of figuring out this approach as follows:

Forcing the actor who’s done everything from Schindler’s List to The LEGO Movie to fit a certain mold is like shoehorning a Ghost parody into The Naked Gun 2025. Just because Leslie Nielsen and company did it in the past doesn’t mean it’ll work like a charm with a brand-new team. If people really wanted the Lt. Frank Drebin they have at home, they’d stay inside with a Paramount+ subscription and enjoy.

It’s fitting that Seth MacFarlane would be producing The Naked Gun, as some of the funniest Family Guy episodes are very much in the wheelhouse of the Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker comedies. Working along with the writing team of Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, this batch understands the nature of comedy and playing to one’s strengths.

Even more appropriate is how Seth MacFarlane convinced Liam Neeson to make The Naked Gun, as he knows the Irish actor’s chops from collaborating on past projects. One of the most notable examples of that pairing comes from his cameo from Ted 2:

One of the biggest differences between Leslie Nielsen and Liam Neeson is the art of deadpan. With Nielsen, his stoic nature primarily carried an aura of authority, assuring the audience he knew what it was doing and that everything was under control. Neeson, on the other hand, uses his stoicism to borderline threaten Ted the teddy bear, which is definitely reminiscent of his character in Taken.

It’s a subtle degree of difference, but Akiva Schaffer seems to have picked up on it pretty quickly. Which leads to some advice that he got when The Naked Gun was finally starting to get underway:

Let Liam be Liam. It’s as simple as that, and I’m sure Schaffer’s work on some of the best SNL Digital Shorts hammered that in long before he even darkened the door of this legacy-quel comedy. Like a sack of potatoes, we’re gonna have to keep our eyes peeled, as The Naked Gun won’t hit theaters until August 1st.

The upcoming Naked Gun reboot shocked fans when its first official footage revealed it to be a legacy-quel, with Liam Neeson playing the son of Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin, and Paul Walter Houser portraying the offspring of George Kennedy’s Ed Hocken. Now, the parody’s official trailer has been unleashed on the world, and it’s an absolute hoot from start to finish, with co-stars Pamela Anderson and WWE fave Cody Rhodes serving up some of the hilarious highlights.

I was definitely far from the only Naked Gun fan excited when Pamela Anderson was cast in the upcoming 2025 movie, and the trailer seen below justifies that anticipation with a pair of moments that speak loudly to her serving as a solid follow-up as a female lead after Priscilla Presley’s stellar work in the original trilogy.

While there are definitely plenty of moments to shine a spotlight on throughout the full video, here are some of my own favorite gags that had me giggling.

1. Beth "Taking A Chair"

I am one of the world's biggest suckers for groan-worthy puns, and it doesn't get much cornier than this moment.

• Frank: Please, take a chair.
• Beth: Thank you. [Loudly drags chair out of room and down the hall]

It's right up there with a doctor saying, "Walk this way," and replying, "If I could walk that way, I wouldn't be here." I'll always laugh at that kind of joke way quicker than I will at Frank fretting over having to use the bathroom while wearing a body-cam.

2. Beth "Cleaning Frank's Oven"

A hallmark of the Naked Gun movies, ribald sexual gags are plentiful throughout the original trilogy, and Akiva Schaeffer's reboot made sure to remind fans of that fact with the trailer, as abedded by the use of heat vision. The reveal that Anderson's Beth is just cleaning a kitchen appliance, and isn't orally servicing Frank, is almost as groan-worthy as the above chair gag. But like, in the best way possible.

For those who want to see Pamela Anderson's more serious side, be sure to check out Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, which is available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

3. Cody Rhodes' Face Gets Rearranged

In much the same way that wordplay never fails to crack me up, I'm also forever entertained by a split-second sight gag like Cody Rhodes' dialogue-free appearance in the trailer. He looks perfect normal when Frank grabs his face, but after it's slammed down against the bar, suddenly his nose is all smashed, with his eyebrows also being flattened and bushier.

It's dumb, low-stakes humor, but it's 100% what I seek out in a movie like this. I also just happen to like wonky facial prosthetics.

4. Spirit Halloween Snatching Up Space

Let's also share the love for co-star Paul Walter Hauser, even if he wasn't the most intrinsically amusing thing about the shot above indicating that a Spirit Halloween store immediately opened up in the newly vacated Police Squad building.

It's perhaps the most "topical" joke in the trailer, other than the previously revealed gag tied to O.J. Simpson and the actor playing Fred Nordberg's son. I wonder if they have any O.J. costumes in the spooky holiday retailer.

The Naked Gun hits theaters on August 1, 2025. Just don't expect to find yourself seated next to franchise co-creator David Zucker, who publicly denounced the new movie and revealed he turned down a producer credit.

The new Naked Gun reboot/legacy-quel/all you can eat buffet has been a long time in the making, with Liam Neeson preparing to follow in Leslie Nielsen’s footsteps on the 2025 movie schedule. However, this wasn’t the first concept created that tried to revive Paramount’s classic comedy brand. That led to co-creator David Zucker revealing more about what he and some original team collaborators had in mind, and why the difference led to him turning down a producing credit on the upcoming comedy.

David Zucker Turned Down A Naked Gun Producer Credit Over The Script Alone

David Zucker’s feelings on The Naked Gun have been reported twice this month by THR. In a May 7th collection of various news hits, the man who helped give life to Police Squad, the TV series basis for these movies, addressed how he was approached to lend his name to the upcoming comedy as a producer. Zucker shared these specific thoughts that led him to decline:

While this entire statement is up for interpretation, one can’t escape the possibility of other legacy-quels using that very strategy for branding.

At the same time, Liam Neeson’s reverence for Leslie Nielsen and his work has been readily apparent throughout the road leading up to this project. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that even after having the film in the can, Neeson is still revisiting Airplane! and other Nielsen-starring laugh riots, in celebration.

That, in turn, suggests that director Akiva Schaffer and producer Seth MacFarlane also share that intense love for this trilogy of films. Why else would they hire an actor so enamored with them? It’s a question that still plays after watching the first Naked Gun trailer, while at the same time inviting David Zucker to provide another reason he’s not in love with this revamp.

Here’s what Zucker had to say, in his “MasterCrash” interview with THR:

As you’d expect, that title refers to a series that David Zucker has on the books, which solely teaches the rules of parody. Debuting in July, I’m really hoping that the next point of order is the example he used in his teachings, as this third of the brain trust known as “ZAZ” revealed the original pitch he and his collaborators had in mind: Naked: Impossible!

The More I Read About Naked: Impossible, The More I Want To See Naked: Impossible

As if to offer a further bit of cheek to oppose Paramount Pictures, David Zucker went on the record to talk about how a Mission: Impossible-style spoof was in the works. With this draft seeking “a 30-something ‘Andy Samberg type’” as Frank Drebin Jr., his profession would have been more in line with Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt.

Laying down some further parody wisdom in THR’s previously cited May 7th rundown, the Top Secret! co-director shared these additional notes on the rationale behind this prospect:

This is a tough dance to master as a fan of both The Naked Gun and the Mission: Impossible movies. Sure, it’s easy to side with one idea over the other, but they do both have their respective merits. Although I fear people might have been a bit confused with Frank Jr.’s venture into spydom, as Leslie Nielsen’s 1998 spoof picture Wrongfully Accused had nothing to do with Frank Drebin, but did lampoon Tom Cruise’s CIA vault break-in from the 1996 original.

Perhaps this move was for the best, but audiences will be able to judge for themselves soon enough. The Naked Gun (*the new version) hits theaters on August 1st, offering a potential comedy break that’ll follow the potentially mind-blowing blockbusters of 2025’s summer season.

The trailer for the new Naked Gun reboot/legacy-quel dropped last week, and frankly, it pleasantly surprised a lot of people, including me. I grew up with the old Naked Gun movies, and my first reaction to the news that it was being rebooted was like that of a lot of other people: I asked (again) if Hollywood was out of ideas. I love Gen X nostalgia, but I'm sick of Gen X reboots.

The trailer, however, is legitimately funny, and I now have high hopes for the movie, which is on the 2025 movie schedule for this summer. One gripe I have noticed floating around the internet has been, “Liam Neeson is miscast; he isn’t funny.” I’m here to say there are two reasons that is misguided thinking, especially one as it relates to the original Naked Gun trilogy. And no, it's not because the lead actors have similar names.

Leslie Nielsen Wasn’t “Funny” Either… Until He Was

Leslie Nielsen, who had a career resurgence in the 1980s starring in parody films like Airplane! and especially the original Naked Gun series, was known for most of his career as a dramatic “straight man.” In fact, one of the reasons he was cast in Airplane! in 1980 was because he was so well known for his serious roles, like the no-nonsense captain in The Poseidon Adventure. Does this sound familiar? It describes Liam Neeson’s career, too.

When Nielsen delivered those hilarious deadpan jokes in Airplane!, it opened up a new avenue for him, and soon the world knew him better as a comedic actor. The three Naked Gun movies' massive success and enduring legacy have only solidified his reputation, especially with people who grew up in the '90s and beyond. For people born earlier, the roles were especially funny, just as Neeson’s will be for all of us who know him best for roles like Oskar Schindler and Priest Vallon in Gangs of New York.

Neeson Does Have Comedic Chops

Anyone doubting Neeson’s comedic abilities should remember that he has shown off his timing and his chops, giving us hilarious moments with a deadpan delivery in movies like Ted 2, and Anchorman 2. His scene in the former film is one of the best moments in the movie, as he questions Ted about the legality of an adult buying Trix, as they are “for kids.”

His cameo as himself in an episode of Ricky Gervais’ show, Life's Too Short, is also hilarious. The point is, Neeson is a talented guy, and he knows how to deliver lines in a way that plays up his reputation, just like Nielson almost 50 years ago.

Like I said, I was delighted to see the trailer for The Naked Gun, which comes out August 1st. I was even happier to get a couple of genuine chuckles when I watched it, as I expected so little from the movie. Who can’t help but laugh at Liam Neeson with one leg up, wearing nothing but colorful underwear from the waist down? Usually, movie trailers don’t move the needle for me, and I rarely change my mind based on one, good or bad, but this one worked, and now I can’t wait to see this in theaters.

In 1991, Leslie Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin spoke of how he wanted to “live in a world where Frank Jr…” could do many things - some of which would never be repeated in modern comedy. So when the 2025 movie schedule became the home to Liam Neeson’s long-awaited spin on The Naked Gun, I never imagined that it was going to fulfill that very promise.

And yet, that's exactly what the first teaser for Paramount’s upcoming comedy offered - and without any of the reasons the first film is considered an '80s movie that didn't age well. As if that wasn't awesome enough, there was actually a joke that made me feel like a raccoon found in a bakery’s dumpster: caught off guard, but very happy with what I saw.

The Naked Gun’s Going Full Legacy-quel, And That’s Probably For The Best

Fresh off of its debut at Paramount Pictures' CinemaCon 2025 panel, the central gag that showcased director Akiva Schaffer and producer Seth MacFarlane’s glorious arrival is something that feels right at home in the files of Police Squad. We all knew that Frank Jr. (Liam Neeson) was going to show up somehow, and that the small girl entering an armed hostage situation was going to be the vehicle.

But seeing it pulled off was a true treat, and a perfect lead up to the revelation that “the new version” of The Naked Gun is indeed a legacy-quel. Introducing us to a hall where we see the next generation of law enforcement paying fond tribute to their fathers, we also see the son of George Kennedy’s Capt. Ed Hocken, played beautifully by Paul Walter Hauser.

Now since comedy works on the “Rule of Three,” and there were three cops central to director David Zucker’s classic franchise starter, I think you know where the trailer’s best joke comes from. In fact, you could say that much like corn, and the San Francisco 49’ers’ ‘78-’79 lineup, it’s got The Juice!

O.J. Simpson’s Nordberg Gets A Proper Satirical Send Off

If there was any question that needed to be answered while watching this trailer, it’s “Will Pamela Anderson play a ‘rebooted’ version of Frank Drebin Jr.’s mother?” While that’s still important now, seeing how controversial sports figure O.J. Simpson’s Nordberg was going to be folded into a Naked Gun legacy-quel was a door that needed to be opened - so that this question could fall down a flight of painful looking stairs.

The dismissal of Nordberg would have been appropriate even if the late Simpson’s legacy didn’t include his infamous murder trial, and other troubles that plagued him throughout his life. Out of the trio of beat cops trying to protect the city from increasingly ridiculous plots outside of their jurisdiction, The Naked Gun trilogy firmly made this character its punching bag.

With an updated action sensibility, crossed with a traditional flavor of humor I’d like to think the original team would appreciate, The Naked Gun has me won over as a fan. Although now I’m going to need some more information on whether or not Pamela Anderson’s casting is connected to some sort of reboot joke involving Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer-Drebin.

Should that suspicion is correct, then score another point for this legacy-quel, as well as the comedy skills of the beloved Baywatch vet in question. The Naked Gun reloads this beloved comedy for a new generation, August 1st. Your move, Marvel Studios.

Liam Neeson has had an incredible career that has lasted decades and includes Academy Awards. However, for the last couple of decades, his main output has been in the action genre. There has seemed to be no end to the stream on Neeson’s action movies, but the actor admits there must be an end eventually, and it sounds like it might finally be soon.

Liam Neeson has spoken before about an end to his action movie career, but so far that’s never actually happened. Even now, in an interview with People ahead of the release of Absolution, Neeson doesn’t necessarily indicate a plan to stop making these films. Instead, he simply indicates that the day will be here eventually. Neeson said…

In 2009 Liam Neeson starred in Taken, a film about a man with a “particular set of skills” who goes after human traffickers who have kidnapped his daughter. The movie was a massive hit, generally seen as one of Liam Neeson's best movies, and it spawned not only a pair of direct sequels but an entire genre. We saw a series of films in which older actors became action heroes. Denzel Washington's popular Equalizer movies followed Taken as did numerous much more forgettable entries. Does anybody but me even remember Kevin Costner's Criminal? No, that's probably a good thing.

But while lots of other actors tried to emulate Neeson’s success, Neeson himself has gone on to make more than a dozen action movies since Taken. He himself has had mixed results, and it’s hard to argue that any of the films have been as good as the one that started the ball rolling. However, Neeson’s own charisma is often worth the price of admission.

Liam Neeson has made it clear that he really enjoys making the action movies, which is why he has continued to do so over the years. It certainly sounds like if making movies like these forever was a real option, he would take it. At the same time, he’s not going to continue making them past the point he’s truly able to do so. We may not have reached that point yet, but certainly, that day is coming soon.

Neeson does look to be making a shift. One of the more interesting movies on the 2025 movie schedule is a reboot of The Naked Gun that will star Neeson in the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen. If action movies are something he can’t do anymore, maybe a focus on slapstick comedy will be a major part of this new chapter. That’s likely something he could continue to do for another decade or so.

Hollywood is a tough place to get your big break. Many actors struggle for years before they finally hit it big. These stars put in the effort and stuck with it until they finally became huge stars after they turned 40. Stars like Steve Carell, Kathy Bates, Alan Rickman, and many more actors like them are household names now, but it took them years to get there.

Steve Carell

Like so many other people Steve Carell started his career at Second City in Chicago. He then kicked around television for a while, with roles on the Dana Carvey Show and eventually at The Daily Show. It's when he left that show to head the cast in The Office that his career exploded and he became one of the most beloved stars on earth.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has one of the most impressive resumes in Hollywood, but it took him a long time to get there. His first credit came in 1972 when he was 24, but it would take another two decades or so, after a series of smaller roles in the late '80s, that he would land the role of Jules Winfield in Pulp Fiction and have his career completely explode.

Alan Rickman

The late, great Alan Rickman started acting in theater in the mid-70s, finding regular roles throughout the early '80s. Then, in 1988, at age 42, he made his feature film debut in a little movie called Die Hard. To this day, Hans Gruber is a legendary villain. He would go on to star in dozens of movies, most notably the Harry Potter films, before passing away in 2016 at age 69.

Betty White

Though Betty White had a little success in her 30s with her eponymous TV show for NBC in the '50s and minor hit Life with Elizabeth in the same decade, it really wasn't until after her 40th birthday in 1962 that she really rose to big stardom. After her 50th birthday, she was cast in the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and after her 60th birthday, she teamed up with Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty in the role she's probably best known for today in Golden Girls.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was born in 1937, but it would take almost 50 years for the legend to truly break out in film. After working here and there as a dancer and as a stage actor in the 1960s and '70s, he scored his breakout role in 1987's Street Smart, starring alongside Christopher Reeve. His performance earned him the first of his Oscar nominations and by 1989's Glory, Freeman was a bonafide star.

Bea Arthur

Like her Golden Girls co-star Betty White, major success came later for the great Bea Arthur. Though she was a steadily-working actor starting in the 1940s, it wasn't until she played the character Maude Findlay, first in All In The Family, then her own spinoff called Maude, that Arthur reached the heights of fame. She was nearly 50 at that point, but her star never faded after that.

Brian Dennehy

Brian Dennehy didn't set out to be an actor. After serving in the Marines and graduating from Columbia University in 1965 with a degree in history, he caught the theater bug and started working in regional theater. In 1983, after a few smaller roles, he scored his first big role as the sheriff in First Blood at age 45.

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn Joosten is best known for playing the beloved Mrs. Landingham in The West Wing and like her character, her real-life story is truly inspiring. She spent the first half of her life first as a nurse, then as a stay-at-home mom, raising two kids. At the age of 42, after divorcing her husband, Joosten began working in local theater in her hometown of Chicago. At age 53, she moved to Orlando and became a performer at Disney World. Soon after she moved to Hollywood and started landing parts in TV. Amazing.

Kathy Bates

Though she made her film debut in 1970, it would be more than two decades later, after working in theater and in bit TV parts, before Kathy Bates would become a star. It was, of course, he now-legendary performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery that would vault her to stardom. Truly one of the best female villains in Hollywood history.

Bryan Cranston

Most people certainly think first of Breaking Bad when they hear the name Bryan Cranston and with good reason. Cranston was 52 when he first starred as Walter White. Of course, that wasn't his breakout role, which came eight years earlier when he starred as the dad in Malcolm In The Middle ]. While he has been acting in movies and TV for years, it was that role, after his 40th birthday, that really put him on the map.

Viola Davis

EGOT winner Viola Davis found success on the stage first, winning two Tonys before turning 40. In 2008, at age 43, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Doubt, but it was 2011's The Help, for which she was nominated for another Oscar, that vaulted her to superstardom.

Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield has one of the best stories of perseverance in Hollywood history. Though technically his career started in the 1930s, his stand-up was so bland that he eventually gave up and became a salesman. In the 1960s, he re-invented himself and his act and it was a hit, with some of the best one-liners of all time. Suddenly the guy that got no respect was getting respect by talking about how he got no respect! It wasn't until 1980, at almost age 60, that Dangerfield landed his first starring role in a movie, in Caddyshack.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney started his career as the "old guy" at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. After years as an English teacher, the future Frasier star gave up his career and started acting in his late 30s. By the late 80s, well into his 40s, he was landing roles in movies like Say Anything... and Moonstruck.

Jane Lynch

It's easy to say that Glee was the project that really made Jane Lynch famous, but she got her big break before that when she found her way into the Christopher Quest universe, where she was responsible for some of the wittiest one-liners in Best In Show.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais took a roundabout way to comedic fame. He started in music, moved to radio, and eventually found his way onto the popular British show The 11 O'Clock Show. It was in 2001, however, at age 40 when he co-created and starred in The Office. The rest is well-known history.

Michael Emerson

Michael Emerson took the very long trail to fame, and his story is inspirational. He struggled for years as an actor, first in New York, then later in Florida where he taught acting as well. He stsarted landing work in the theater in the late '90s, but got his big break in a guest spot on The Practice in 2001. Of course, he's best known for playing Ben on Lost.

Peter Dinklage

Though he found steady work in the early '00s, Peter Dinklage really shot to superstardom when he was cast as Tyrion Lannister in Game Of Thrones when he was 42. Today, that character is still, and will likely always be, one of the most beloved in TV history. Tyrion also happens to the character who appeared in the most episodes of Game of Thrones.

Larry David

Larry David's career had a lot of ups and downs in the early years. His first major gig was as a writer on SNL, though he didn't find much success there. At age 42, in 1989, he co-wrote a TV pilot for what became Seinfeld and his career took off. On screen, after playing a few minor roles onSeinfeld, he found even more fame with HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Melissa McCarthy

While she did have some big supporting roles in her 30s in Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who?, Melissa McCarthy's career exploded when she started as Molly in Mike & Molly, in 2011, at age 41, she co-starred in Bridesmaids, where she completely stole the show, earning an Oscar nomination in the process.

Margo Martindale

Margo Martindale has become one of the best character actors in Hollywood, but it took her a long time to get there. She worked in community theater for years before she regularly started landing TV roles in her late 30s. After her 40th birthday, her career took off with dozens of memorable supporting roles in both film and TV.

Leslie Jones

Saturday Night Live is generally thought of as a young person's game. Most cast members join very early in their careers and by the time they are 30, they are moving on to other things. Leslie Jones is an exception to that. She didn't join the cast until she was nearly 50, but she made an immediate impact. Since leaving the show, she's continued to star in things like 2016's Ghostbusters and Coming 2 America in 2021.

Ty Burrell

Modern Family took the world by storm when it debuted in 2007 and one of the leads of the show, Ty Burrell, became a huge star. This came after years in Hollywood in supporting roles and, eventually, a starring role in the short-lived show Out of Practice. It was Modern Family that made him a household name.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer started landing bit parts and supporting roles in the mid-90s, but it was 2011's The Help that put the Academy Award-winner on the map, after her 40th birthday. Not only did she win for her role in The Help, but she's been nominated for others as well, including for her work in Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water.

Patrick Stewart

While Patrick Stewart steadily found work in the theater and in smaller supporting roles in TV and film, it wasn't until he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 that he became a household name. He was 47 at the time and he's only gotten more famous as he's gotten older.

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton basically made his own fortune in Hollywood after years of smaller supporting roles, he wrote, directed, and starred in Sling Blade. The movie was a low-budget masterpiece and he's been starring in big roles and winning awards ever since.

Hannah Waddingham

Many actors get their start in the theater, just like Hannah Waddingham. With a fantastic singing voice and wonderful acting chops, it makes sense that this is where Waddingham would first find success. It would take a couple of decades for her to equal that on screen with roles in shows like Game of Thrones, and, of course, her greatest claim to fame, Ted Lasso.

Richard Farnsworth

Without a doubt, the late Richard Farnsworth had one of the most incredible careers in Hollywood history. He had uncredited roles in some of the most famous Hollywood epics including Gone With The Wind, The Ten Commandments, and Spartacus. He didn't earn his first credited role until he was 46 in a movie called Texas Across the River in 1966. Then in the 1970s, he became a well-known character actor in projects like Roots, The Natural, and Misery.

F. Murray Abraham

After scoring a handful of supporting roles in movies in the 1970s, F. Murray Abraham became a household name after his Oscar-winning performance as Antonio Salieri in 1984's Amadeus. It was truly a career-making role and one that is still loved today by fans.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson was 41 when he starred in one of the greatest movies ever made, even if it's a movie you can only watch once. As Oscar Schindler in Schindler's List, Neeson immediately became world famous. It's safe to say that role will always keep him famous, too.

Lucille Ball

It's really hard to believe that Lucille Ball was over 40 when she became famous on I Love Lucy, but it's true. The comedian worked in show business for decades before she and her husband Desi Arnaz created the now-legendary TV show and her fame never faded for the rest of her life.

Tommy Lee Jones

Like a lot of actors from Texas, Tommy Lee Jones does things his way. The Harvard grad worked for decades, even winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy before he truly found fame and became a leading man in the 90s with movies like The Fugitive and Under Siege.

Ken Jeong

it's not often that someone switches careers from medicine to drama, but that's exacting what Ken Jeong did. Though he always had a love of acting, he originally pursued a more traditional career as a doctor, while acting and doing standup on the side. By the mid-2000s he was earning enough to leave medicine behind, and in 2011, at age 40, he broke out in a huge way in the Hangover.

We see it all the time, serious actors with some major dramatic skills tearing it up in lighter, more comedic roles. Actors who’ve made us cry in Best Picture winners have gone on to make us fall over with side-splitting laughs, which can sometimes be harder than you’d think.

In the past, we’ve talked about some of the great dramatic performances by comedians, but today we’re going to turn our attention to the other side of that coin and highlight 32 serious actors who crushed in in comedic roles.

Robert De Niro (Meet The Parents)

Robert De Niro, an Oscar-winning actor known for serious parts in some of Martin Scorsese’s best movies, including Raging Bull and Goodfellas, as well as his turn as a young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II, showed the world that he was also one of the funniest stars in Hollywood with his portrayal of the iron-fisted Jack Byrnes in Meet the Parents. The deadpan expressions, the playing on his gangster roles, and his chemistry with Ben Stiller make this an all-time classic.

George C. Scott (Dr. Stranglelove)

George C. Scott will always be remembered for his portrayal of U.S. General George S. Patton in Franklin J. Schaffner’s Patton, but the acclaimed actor also crushed it in a more comedic role a few years earlier. His take on General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove is nothing short of magnificent and hilarious as it gets. The satirical tone of this iconic anti-war film is biting, as is Scott’s legendary performance.

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Along Came Polly)

Though we could have included Rusty from Twister or Brandt from The Big Lebowski, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance in Along Came Polly is just too good to overlook. Though he’s atrocious at basketball (and in most social situations), Sandy Lyle is a force of comedic nature. It’s crazy that Hoffman went from Cold Mountain to this 2004 rom-com to Capote in the span of three years.

Tom Cruise (Tropic Thunder)

Tom Cruise steals the show in Tropic Thunder, which is no easy feat considering Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. sit atop the cast of this outrageous 2008 action comedy. But hey, Les Grossman, Cruise’s over-the-top and ill-tempered Hollywood exec is unforgettable in every single one of his scenes, especially whenever he dances.

Meryl Streep (Death Becomes Her)

Though not a slapstick or “laugh-a-minute” comedy, Death Becomes Her does feature some wild and hilariously comedic performances from the likes of Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, and Meryl Streep, who kills it with her portrayal of Madeline Ashton. The Oscar winner does get to show off her serious skills in the movie, but her character’s darkly humorous personality is worth a watch.

Leslie Nielsen (Airplane!)

It’s wild to think that Leslie Nielsen, an actor mostly remembered for spoof films, started out as a very serious dramatic actor. But that all changed with landmark comedies like Airplane!, where his deadpan humor and signature charm truly shined.

Kate Winslet (The Holiday)

Kate Winslet is known for dramatic movies like Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Revolutionary Road, but the talented dramatic actress was able to show off her comedy chops in The Holiday. This 2006 Nancy Meyers romantic comedy showed off a different side of Winslet, one we haven’t forgotten nearly 20 years later.

James Caan (Elf)

James Caan wasn’t really known for his comedy. Sure, his characters had some humorous lines in The Godfather and Thief, but drama was always his bag. And that’s what makes his performance in Elf so great. We weren’t used to seeing Caan share the screen with someone like Will Ferrell, and that juxtaposition of personalities made it so much fun to watch.

Morgan Freeman (Bruce Almighty)

Morgan Freeman will go down as one of the best dramatic actors of all time, and for good reason. His work in The Shawshank Redemption, Glory, and countless other movies is the stuff of legend. However, let’s not forget that he also put on one of the funniest performances when he played God in Bruce Almighty.

Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

A little more than two decades after playing the vile Amon Goeth in Schindler’s List (and only a few years after portraying Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies), Ralph Fiennes proved he was a great comedic actor with his take on M. Gustave in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Equal parts hilarious and charming, this performance was a breath of fresh air.

Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon)

After playing more serious roles in films like The Color Purple, Witness, and Silverado, Danny Glover showed off his comedy skills in Richard Donner’s iconic buddy cop action film, Lethal Weapon. Though he was more straight-laced compared to Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs, Roger Murtaugh gave us some laughs.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Kidergarten Cop)

Kindergarten cop isn’t just one of the funniest Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, it’s also one of his best. Featuring some of the actor’s most memorable one-liners, this 1990 action comedy showed that the Austrian bodybuilder-turned-actor was more than an ice-cold robot or trained killer.

Jeff Daniels (Dumb & Dumber)

Two years after playing Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in Gettysburg, one of the best Civil War movies ever made, Jeff Daniels played a vastly different type of character in Dumb and Dumber. The obnoxious and absurdly dim-witted Harry Dunne would end up becoming one of the more dramatic actor’s most famous roles.

Jack Nicholson (As Good As It Gets)

Jack Nicholson, one of the most well-known dramatic actors of the 20th century, has popped up in comedies over the years. Perhaps the best of the bunch, As Good as It Gets earned the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Terms of Endearment star his third Oscar.

Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski)

Whenever the topic of the best Jeff Bridges movies comes up, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn to The Big Lebowski. Still considered to be one of his most iconic roles, the performance also showed that the largely dramatic actor could pull off an incredibly funny and beloved character.

Liam Neeson (Extras)

Liam Neeson is best known for his work in dramas like Schindler’s List and the Taken action movie franchise, but the decorated actor with that ice-cold delivery has shown off his funny side over the years. His attempt at improv on Extras is the stuff of legend, as is work in The Lego Movie.

George Clooney (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)

George Clooney often rides the line between comedy and drama in the likes of the Ocean’s movies and several Coen Brothers projects, and one of the best examples of that is found in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a 2000 loose adaptation of The Odyssey. The scheming and conniving Ulysses Everett McGill is one of the all-time great movie characters.

Dustin Hoffman (Tootsie)

The Graduate, Kramer vs. Kramer, Midnight Cowboy, and All the President’s Men were just a few of the movies that showed off Dustin Hoffman’s incredible dramatic acting skills. It’s a similar story with Tootsie, the beloved 1982 comedy in which Hoffman plays an unlikeable and hirable actor who decides to dress like a woman to land a gig on a daytime soap opera.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire)

Cuba Gooding Jr. was out of this world in early 1990s dramas like Boyz n the Hood and A Few Good Men, but he was even better in Jerry Maguire as Tom Cruise’s titular character’s temperamental and needy client Rod Tidwell. The over-the-top performance was hilarious beyond belief.

Timothy Dalton (Hot Fuzz)

Timothy Dalton, an actor best known for playing James Bond and showing up in adaptations of Jane Eyre, got to show off his comedy chops in Hot Fuzz, Edgar Wright’s satirical action comedy. His take on Simon Skinner is just as great all these years later.

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Leonardo DiCaprio teamed up with Martin Scorsese for the fifth time in 2013 to make The Wolf of Wall Street. While previous collaborations like Gangs of New York and The Departed were far more dramatic, this hopped-up and raucous biopic allowed the actor to be outrageously funny on screen, and it paid off.

Billy Bob Thornton (Bad Santa)

Up until starring in Bad Santa, Billy Bob Thornton was mostly known for dramatic roles in films like Monster’s Ball and Sling Blade, but this 2003 R-rated comedy changed all of that. Over the line, vulgar, and one of the funniest performances of the 2000s, Thornton’s take on a mall Santa was an instant classic.

Brad Pitt (Burn After Reading)

Burn After Reading isn’t the best Coen Brothers movie, but it does feature one of Brad Pitt’s funniest performances. Chad Feldheimer, Linda Litzke’s (Frances McDormand) lovable yet moronic coworker is just so silly, so memorable, and so dumb. You just can’t help but love him.

Michael Caine (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)

On top of being an actor who’s appeared in the most Christopher Nolan movies, Michael Caine is also one of the all-time greats of screen and stage, with dozens of iconic films to his name. And while he’s mostly known for his dramatic work, his portrayal of the dastardly Lawrence Jamieson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is so dang good.

Matt Damon (Dogma)

Long before he showed up as an actor playing Loki in Thor: Ragnarok, Matt Damon did it for real in Kevin Smith’s 1999 comedy, Dogma. Sandwiched between Rounders and The Talented Mr. Ripley, the actor’s portrayal of a fallen angel banished to Wisconsin was great and showed a funnier side.

Samuel L. Jackson (The Other Guys)

Samuel L. Jackson in The Other Guys is on a whole other level and is funnier than anything else the actor has done over the years. Sure, Pulp Fiction and Jurassic Park are better movies, but his short yet memorable performance as a gung-ho cop who throws caution (and himself) into the win is comedy cold.

Alan Rickman (Galaxy Quest)

Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Alexander Dane, a Shakespearean actor fed up with life and his career direction in Galaxy Quest, is so funny yet so heartbreaking. The way the Die Hard actor (who was also classically trained) finds the balance between comedy and tragedy is perfection.

Russell Crowe (The Nice Guys)

Russell Crowe made a career out of giving commanding, and largely dramatic, performances in everything from Romper Stomper to Gladiator, so it was great to see him play a more comedic role in The Nice Guys. This 2016 Shane Black film also starring Ryan Gosling, felt like a throwback to buddy action movies of yesteryear, and allowed Crowe to try a different approach to character-driven stories.

Mandy Patinkin (The Princess Bride)

Tony and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin has given incredible dramatic performances in movies like Yentl and shows like Homeland, but he’s probably best known for his portrayal of Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride. The skill with a sword, the dashing good looks, and a killer backstory make this not only a great cinematic character but also a hilarious icon of the fantasy genre.

Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda)

Kevin Kline is great in just about everything (especially The Big Chill and Dave), and that includes some great comedies. One of the best featuring a serious and dramatic actor’s work is A Fish Called Wanda. The despicable and charismatic Otto West steals the show whenever on screen.

Christian Bale (The Big Short)

Though not the most standard comedy of the past few years, The Big Short is funny in a frightening and thrilling kind of way. Adam McKay’s biographical crime dramedy about the events that led to the 2007 housing market crash and subsequent economic crisis does feature one of Christian Bale’s most interesting and hilarious performances with his take on hedge fund manager Michael Burry. Not a totally likable guy, but a great character without a doubt.

Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Ragnarok)

Thor: Ragnarok is still considered one of the best Marvel movies years after its release, and that’s mostly because of Chris Hemsworth’s new and improved portrayal of the “God of Thunder.” While the character was more serious in the first two movies (and two Avengers films), the more light-hearted and silly superhero was a comedy tour de force.

Liam Neeson has a remarkable talent for choosing intriguing roles. At 72, the Irish actor still brings unmatched intensity and energy to his action movies. Now, the Taken star is gearing up to join a dynamic ensemble of fresh, young talent in a new Gen Z, coming-of-age heist film, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank. This time, the veteran Hollywood A-lister will be sharing the screen with up-and-comer Deacon Phillippe, the son of Hollywood stars Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. And, judging by the plot, this movie is going to be wild!

Per Deadline, this dark heist comedy features Liam Neeson as a former bank robber, whose life takes an unexpected turn when his teenage granddaughter overhears that his old gang wants to pull him back in for one last job to pay off a debt. Determined to keep him out of trouble, the granddaughter, played by Do Revenge cast member and Never Rarely Sometimes Always breakout Talia Ryder, comes up with a bold plan. She and her three loyal friends will rob the bank themselves before his old gang gets the chance.

The film is lining up an impressive ensemble of young actors who are quickly making names for themselves in Hollywood. Noah Jupe, known for his standout performances in A Quiet Place and Honey Boy, is in talks to join the cast, bringing his considerable talent to the film. Whitney Peak, who starred on the Gossip Girl reboot, and Jack Dylan Grazer, known for his roles in It and Shazam!, are also set to co-star. These young actors will play the three best friends to the granddaughter of Neeson’s character.

Deacon Phillippe is sure to be a point of public interest when it comes this film, as he steps into the spotlight with his first major role. As the son of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, expectations are high, but this project could be his big break. Although he made his debut in Netflix's hit teen romance show Never Have I Ever, this new part has the potential to truly launch his career.

Just 20 years old and currently studying music at New York University, the young Mr. Phillippe brings both youth and star power to the cast. Surely, fans of the actor’s parents will be excited to see how he continues their performing legacy in Hollywood. Interestingly, Deacon is about the same age his parents were when they starred in one of the best '90s teen flicks, the thriller Cruel Intentions. It makes you wonder if he might become a part of the 2020s equivalent.

It might surprise our readers that the upcoming Liam Neeson-headed action flick is an upcoming book-to-screen adaptation based on the graphic novel by Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss. Erik Feig’s Picturestart is developing and co-financing the project alongside Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures and Black Mask Studios. With such a dynamic creative team behind it, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank is shaping to be a film to watch.

While the flick is still in the early stages of development and won't be hitting the 2024 movie schedule, it’s shaping up to be well worth the wait. With a mix of veteran actors and rising stars, a captivating plot, and a talented creative team, this 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank promises to be an exciting addition to both the heist and coming-of-age genres. I cannot wait to buy a ticket!

The $2 billion lifetime box mark for all their movies is a major milestone for actors and only the most popular ones have reached that level. The full list, per The Numbers, includes a lot of names you'd expect, and a few you wouldn't. Many on the list play major characters in the MCU, though we've limited those somewhat here, to get a fuller picture. So here it is, our list of actors who've topped the $2 billion mark all-time at the box office.

Daniel Radcliffe

There are some huge franchises out there, and few are bigger than the Harry Potter series, so naturally, the actor who played its protagonist, Daniel Radcliffe, is going to find his way onto this list. With a box office total climbing north of $2.6 billion, Radcliffe has supplemented Harry Potter with big movies like Now You See Me 2 and The Lost City.

Tom Cruise

For four decades Tom Cruise has been one of, if not the, most bankable stars in Hollywood. The biggest chunk of the more than $4 billion he's earned has come from the Mission: Impossible movies, but almost every one of his movies, from Top Gun to War of the Worlds and beyond are usually big money makers. 

Harrison Ford

When you star in two of the biggest franchises in Hollywood history, you're going to make this list. As Han Solo in the Star Wars movies and as the titular character in the Indiana Jones series, Harrison Ford has been raking in box office receipts for decades.  He's also had big money earners outside those series as well, like the two Jack Ryan movies he starred in, and movies like The Fugitive and the two Blade Runner flicks.  

Tom Hanks

It's hardly a surprise to see Tom Hanks on this list. With a total box office of over $5 billion, Hanks has consistently crushed it in some of the most iconic roles in Hollywood history. The list of Hanks' best movies includes Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Big, and many more, but the movies that make the biggest contribution to that box office number come from the Toy Story franchise. 

Jack Black

Jack Black movies have brought in more than $2.7 billion. Before you wonder where that has come from, you have to remember just how huge the Kung Fu Panda series of movies have been. They all have collected huge box office numbers. Throw in School of Rock, and the Jumanji series, and all of a sudden, you're climbing in some pretty rarified air. Oh - and it might surprise you that the Super Mario Bros. Movie earned more than a billion on its own.  

Morgan Freeman

Is there a more beloved actor in Hollywood than Morgan Freeman? With movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and Unforgiven he's proven he's one the best actors, and with huge movies like The Dark Knight trilogy, he's brought in a ton of money, with over $2 billion total. 

George Clooney

There isn't anyone in Hollywood who quite personifies a classic movie star than George Clooney. He's brought in more than $2 billion lifetime, with only one superhero movie on his resume (and a forgettable one at that, with Batman & Robin). Of course, the Ocean's movies have been his biggest box office successes, but he mostly has just put out great movie after great movie. 

Liam Neeson

While Liam Neeson isn't alone in actors we'd like to see in the MCU one day, he's still earned bank at the box office. He's appeared in a number of other big franchises, like Star Wars, The Dark Knight, and The Chronicles of Narnia, and the franchise he's most known for, the Taken movies. 

Steve Carell

It may surprise you to see Steve Carrell on this list until you remember how huge the Despicable Me franchise is. Those movies print money and Carell has been a monster piece in that puzzle. Of course, he's also had huge hits like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and the Anchorman movies. 

Meryl Streep

It's hard to argue against Meryl Streep being the finest actress of a generation, and perhaps even ever. With more than 20 Oscar nominations, she's built a career that is unparalleled. She has also managed to kill it at the box office despite not being a part of any huge franchises. The Mamma Mia! movies are the closest she's come to something like that, which makes her $2 billion+ that much more impressive.  

Eddie Murphy

Year after year Eddie Murphy just cranks out hit after hit. Sure, he's a long way away from his peak as a comic in the '80s, but you can't argue against the results, with over $3.5 billion in total receipts. The biggest contributors, of course, are the Shrek movies. 

Johnny Depp

Of course, Johnny Depp has to be on this list. Depp led one of the biggest franchises of the early 21st Century with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He's had a lot of hits outside of his work for Disney, but the role of Jack Sparrow has translated to a big chunk of his more than $3.6 billion total box office. 

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence hasn't been in the MCU proper, but in full disclosure, she did appear in the X-Men franchise when it was outside of the MCU proper. So there is that. Still, she's also got another franchise under her belt with the Hunger Games movies. Outside of that, she's known for taking on serious roles in movies like Winter's Bone and Mother. It all adds up to more than $2.6 billion.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro has been one of the most famous actors in Hollywood for more than 50 years and with that has come a lot of success at the ticket window. in total, his movies like Cape Fear, The Godfather II, Killers of the Flower Moon, and, the films that have contributed the most to his more than $2.6 billion lifetime box office sales, the Meet The Parents movies. 

Emma Watson

As one of the key cast members of eight Harry Potter movies, it's hardly a surprise to see Emma Watson on this list. That franchise alone has made billions. She also appeared as Belle in the Disney live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, which made a cool billion as well. 

Leonardo DiCaprio

The great Leonardo DiCaprio is another actor on this list who has built remarkable box office numbers – well over $2 billion – without the benefit of a major franchise. It helps to have Titanic on your resume though. 

Julia Roberts

Since the late '80s, Julia Roberts has been box office gold. In all, her movies have made more than $2 billion, and without the benefit of a major franchise, aside from the first two Ocean's movies. Instead, she's built her legendary career on movies like Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Eat Pray Love.

Bruce Willis

There are few action stars as loved as Bruce Willis. Before he retired due to aphasia and dementia, he not only starred in the Die Hard series, but he consistently churned out hits like Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, and one of his biggest movies, Armageddon. He also popped in two of the Expendables movies, earning an overall $3 billion or so. 

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson may have started out in professional wrestling, but he's owned Hollywood since making the transition to acting. In addition to the Fast and Jumanji franchises, Johnson's box office totals include two Mummy movies and a slew of other hits. It all adds up to well over $3 billion. 

Owen Wilson

There is a small caveat here. Owen Wilson has technically appeared in the MCU, but it was on the Disney+ show Loki and he's never been in one of the movies, so nothing in the MCU is reflected in his box office numbers. What does count is movies like Meet The Parents, Night At The Museum, and The Cars franchise. It all adds up to more than $2.3 billion.

Adam Driver

While he may not have the MCU on his resume, Adam Driver does have three huge Star Wars movies on it. That's a great way to pad your box office numbers. Driver is hardly a one-hit wonder though. House of Gucci, BlacKkKlansman, and others all add up to more than $2.3 billion.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has put together an impressive career that's spanned over three decades. Despite not starring in many major franchises aside from Ocean's 8 and Minions. Still, over her career, she's generated more than $2.6 billion in box office totals. Impressive, to say the least. 

Kevin Hart

Everyone loves Kevin Hart, but it's sort of surprising just how successful his movies have been over the years. He's in rarified air here with over $2.4 billion in tickets sold to movies he's appeared in. It certainly helps that's his popped up in the Fast franchise, as well as the Jumanji movies, of course. 

Jim Carrey

Other than Batman Forever Jim Carrey has avoided major franchises over the years. Still, at one point, he was Hollywood's highest-paid actor because his movies almost always make big bucks, bringing in more than $2.9 million overall. Movies like Bruce Almighty and the Sonic movies have contributed greatly to that haul. 

Will Ferrell

What can you say about Will Ferrell that hasn't already been said? Frankly, he's the premier comedic actor over the last couple of decades. With movies like the Anchorman series, Elf, Step Brothers, and maybe his biggest contributor to his more than $2.8 billion in receipts, the Lego franchise, Farrell movies continue to clean up in theaters. 

Will Smith

Before the infamous "slap" at the Oscars in 2023, Will Smith was one of America's most beloved movie stars. His reputation has taken a hit, but his box office numbers over the years don't lie. With franchises like Bad Boys and Men In Black, in addition to a huge number of other hits over the years, Smith's total take is among the highest ever at over $3.8 billion. 

Keanu Reeves

You don't need comic book movies when you've got monster franchises like John Wick and The Matrix. Those two series have contributed a huge part to Keanu Reeves' amazing box office numbers, which stretch over $2 billion now. Throw in one of the Toy Story movies and a handful of other big hits and you're on top of the world. 

Denzel Washington

Until The Equalizer series, Denzel Washington had never even starred in a sequel, much a franchise. He has still managed to rack up more than $2.5 billion in box office numbers though. Washington has been one of the world's most famous actors for decades and has won a slew of awards, including two Oscars, so it's hardly a surprise, but it's still darn impressive. 

Brad Pitt

If Brad Pitt's Ocean's franchise co-star George Clooney isn't the most famous movie star in the world, Brad Pitt might be. Like Clooney, he's mostly built his box office record without the help of any major franchise, aside from Ocean's. It is worth mentioning that he had that infamous cameo in Deadpool 2, but that's still technically outside of the MCU. 

Adam Sandler

He's not everyone's cup of tea, sure, but Adam Sandler has put together one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood history with his unique brand of humor. Movies like Big Baddy, Mr. Deeds, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Grown Ups have all tucked away huge amounts of money, as have others, meaning Sandler's overall box office is up over $2.8 billion. 

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck does benefit from his time as Batman in the ill-fated DCEU, which has since been replaced with the reboot DCU. Those movies, despite mostly middling reviews, did all make a lot of money. When you add in movies like Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and Gone Girl, it's easy to see how his total haul adds up to more than $2.4 billion. 

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg might be the most surprising person on this list, believe it or not. Then you remember he was in some of the Transformer movies, and think about how much the Ted and Daddy's Home movies made, and you realize it's not actually all that shocking. In total, his movies have brought in well over two and a half billion dollars. 

With the upcoming release of a reboot of The Naked Gun, the parody movies genre finally seems to be making a comeback in its signature, cartoonishly over-the-top style. Reports claim this is not a remake, but a continuation of the ridiculous ‘80s movie classic that spawned two sequels and made the late Leslie Nielsen, as Lt. Frank Drebin, the patron saint of the send-up.

That leaves us with questions — such as who is on the case this time, who is at the helm, and will it be funny? We’ll just take things one at a time with our following guide to the upcoming new Naked Gun movie.

What Is The Naked Gun Release Date? 

If you take a look at our upcoming 2025 movie schedule, you will see a spot for The Naked Gun, which is currently set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025, to be exact. That means it will be coming more than 30 years after the release of the franchise’s last installment, 1994’s The Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult. Well, it appears that threequel was not the final insult after all.

An Update To The Classic Crime Spoof

According to an exclusive report by Deadline from 2022, this reboot of 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! — a spin-off of the short-lived series, Police Squad!, from the team behind Airplane! — is more of a “requel.” Instead of a new actor filling Leslie Nielsen’s shoes in the role of Lt. Frank Drebin, the film will follow the bumbling detective’s son on a new case that is sure to have its fair share of uproarious hijinks.

This reported detail is reassuring for a couple different reasons. For one, it is impossible to imagine anyone but Nielsen playing his most iconic character and, also, with how many disappointing movie remakes there are, to see this latest installment attempt to continue the story instead of copy it seems like the best course of action. Additionally, there are some who argue that the original is an example of an ‘80s movie that has not stood the test of time, particularly because it features O.J. Simpson in the supporting role of Det. Nordberg. In that regard, The Naked Gun might actually be due for a revisit.

Liam Neeson Leads The Naked Gun Cast

Even with the reported information that the original Frank Drebin role is not being recast, it does seem strange to continue this franchise without Nielsen. However, when you see who is leading the new Naked Gun cast, you might be willing to give it a shot.

Liam Neeson (Frank Drebin, Jr.)

Reportedly playing Frank Drebin, Jr. is Liam Neeson, who is certainly no stranger to great action movies as the lead of the Taken series, for instance. Yet, the Academy Award nominee (for Schindler’s List) has slightly less experience with comedy, save notable examples like The LEGO Movie or his bold cameo in Atlanta in which his overly serious demeanor is part of the joke. That being said, considering how Nielsen always played Drebin straight amongst the story’s surrounding lunacy, the Irish actor’s signature intensity might be a perfect fit.

Paul Walter Hauser (Capt. Ed Hocken)

An exclusive report by Deadline from May 2024 says that Paul Walter Hauser will play Capt. Ed Hocken, but we are going to assume that he is intended to be the son of George Kennedy’s original character if we are to believe Neeson is the original Drebin’s son. The actor — who is also set to play Chris Farley in an upcoming biopic and has an unknown role in MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot — is known for Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya, Cruella, his Emmy-nominated role in Apple TV+’s Black Bird, voicing Embarrassment in Pixar’s Inside Out 2, and more.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson’s unnamed role in The Naked Gun is described by THR as a love interest to Drebin in the spirit of Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer from the original trilogy. This is the former Baywatch star’s first main role in a major motion picture in years, with previous examples including the title hero of a comic book movie that might be due for a reboot as well: 1996’s Barb Wire. She and Neeson apparently share great chemistry based on the kind words about each other that People published in October 2024.

Kevin Durand

On the red carpet for the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes premiere, Kevin Durand described his Naked Gun role to ET as a “‘90s villain” to explain his blonde hairdo. The Canadian actor already has quite a few antagonistic character under his belt — such as Jeeves Tremor in Smokin’ Aces, Officer Caruso in Fruitvale Station, and Frederick Gideon on Netflix’s Locke & Key. Of course, he has also been on the other side, like in Radio Silence’s vampire film, Abigail, most recently.

Danny Huston

We would not be surprised if Durand’s X: Men: Origins: Wolverine co-star, Danny Huston, also played a villain in The Naked Gun, considering his own collection of adversarial credits — such as the lead vampire in 30 Days of Night and in another upcoming reboot: 2024’s The Crow. The actor’s most notable credits also include one of Martin Scorsese’s best movies, The Aviator; Alfonso Cuaron’s 2006 post-apocalyptic thriller, Children of Men; and plenty more acclaimed titles.

Liza Koshy

Also in an undisclosed role is viral sensation Liza Koshy, who already has a few franchises on her resume — namely with her roles in Paramount+’s Good Burger 2 and the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts voice cast as Arcee. She also faced off against danger in the Hulu horror TV show Freakish and put her dancing abilities to great use in Netflix’s Work It in 2020.

Cody Rhodes

In the tradition of casting athletes in The Naked Gun franchise — such as the aforementioned O.J. Simpson and Reggie Jackson as himself — professional wrestler Cody Rhodes is in the reboot. No word on if he is playing himself, like he did on Netflix’s animated series, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, but, he has played original characters, too, like Stardust dealer Derek Sampson on Arrow.

CCH Pounder

Speaking of DC TV show veterans, we have CCH Pounder, who is known for voicing Amanda Waller in Justice League and other animated comic book adaptations. The four-time Emmy nominee (for guest roles on The X-Files and The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and regular supporting roles on ER and The Shield) is also known for movies like Face/Off, James Cameron’s Avatar films, and the Oscar-nominated Rustin.

Busta Rhymes

In the tradition of casting musicians in The Naked Gun franchise — such as “Weird Al” Yankovic, who appears in all three original installments — the film will also feature Grammy-nominated rap artist Busta Rhymes, who has been in movies like 1995’s Higher Learning, Halloween: Resurrection from 2002, and another requel from 2000, Shaft. He also had a recurring stint on The Boondocks as Flonominal and has played himself a number of times, like on Netflix’s Master of None.

The Lonely Island's Akiva Schaffer Is Directing

Succeeding the directorial position from David Zucker — who also co-wrote the first two films with his brother Jerry, the late Jim Abrahams, and Pat Proft — and Peter Segal (who helmed the third installment) is Akiva Schaffer. The filmmaker is best known for his collaborations with the other two members of The Lonely Island (Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone) — such as his directorial debut, 2007’s Hot Rod, and one of the best music movies, 2016’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. His more recent feature-length effort was a pretty successful reboot, Disney+’s Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers from 2022, which gives us reason to believe he is the right choice to helm this Naked Gun requel.

Schaffer also shares credit with Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Mark Hentemann, and Alec Sulkin for penning the screenplay, which comes from a story imagined by producer Seth MacFarlane. The movie will actually mark the comedian’s latest of several collaborations with Neeson, who has voiced himself a few times on Family Guy, was the main antagonist of A Million Ways to Die in the West, had a funny Ted 2 cameo, and guest-starred on The Orville.

The Naked Gun Started Shooting In May 2024

Early reports — such as from The Cinemaholic — said that cameras were set to start rolling on The Naked Gun in May 2024. Kevin Durand would confirm those claims during his aforementioned interview with ET from early that month. Thus, we can hopefully expect to see the comedy arrive in theaters right on schedule.

How To Watch The Original Naked Gun Movies

What better way to keep you occupied as you wait for the Naked Gun reboot to release than by watching the original trilogy? Luckily, all you need to relive (or even discover) the first film, 1991’s The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear, and the third installment is a Max subscription. Unfortunately, the short-lived series that started it all, Police Squad!, is not on streaming, but can be purchased on physical media.

• Stream The Naked Gun movies on Max.
• Rent or buy The Naked Gun movies on Amazon.
• Buy The Naked Gun movies on Blu-ray on Amazon.
• Buy Police Squad! on Blu-ray on Amazon.

That’s all that we can uncover about the Naked Gun reboot for now. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates.

Yes, I'm well aware that Father's Day is still a ways off. But, as a father myself, and as somebody who is enamored with the best action movies of all time (and projecting myself into said movies), I'm always a sucker for good dads in action flicks.

Unsurprisingly, I'm not alone, as there are a multitude of fighting fathers at the multiplexes, which just proves that ass-kicking daddy is a popular sub-genre, and definitely wish fulfillment. 

Sure, it's cool to imagine yourself on the big screen (or in an action movie that went right to streaming), being an ass kicking ladies man, a la all those James Bond movies. But, it's even cooler imagining yourself as a papa who could also whoop some ass. So, here are some of the best dads in action movies. Oh, and son. Hold my beer.  

John McClane (Die Hard Series) 

We don’t learn much about John McClane’s children until Parts 4 and 5, which are Live Free or Die Hard, and A Good Day to Die Hard, respectively. But, they’re very interesting relationships, nonetheless. 

His daughter, Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), is not a fan of her father in Part 4, even going so far as to change her last name. But, when she gets taken hostage by a cyberterrorist, you know Papa John is coming to the rescue. And rescue her he does! They’re back on speaking terms after these heroic events. 

In Part 5, which is my LEAST favorite movie of the Die Hard series, we get introduced to his son, John, or Jack, played by Jai Courtney. John is actually as badass as his father, who fights with him in Russia. But, one thing is certain about John McClane, played by the incomparable Bruce Willis (Who our very own Sean O’Connell wrote a whole book about!): Whoever you are, you do not mess with his kids.  

John Matrix (Commando) 

In the greatest action movie of all time (I said what I said), Arnold Schwarzenegger plays John Matrix, a mountain of a man who will stop at nothing to rescue his daughter, Jenny (Alyssa Milano). Here’s the plot: A dictator wants to use John in order to get back into power, and he’s going to kidnap Matrix’s daughter as a means to fulfill his goal. But, he messed with the wrong dude.

Because you just can’t stop John Matrix! Sure, you can try to take him hostage on an airplane, but he’s the kind of man who will break the guy’s neck next to him, and then get off the plane from the wheel compartment. Hell, you’re going to need a small army to keep him from his daughter, and not even that will help you.  

Bryan Mills (Taken Series)  

We all know this, but Bryan Mills’ victims might not be aware that he has “a very particular set of skills.”  But, they soon learn as such when they kidnap his daughter, Kim, played by Maggie Grace. It sets Mills (Liam Neeson) off on a trek to kill the people who kidnapped her.

Mills is the kind of dad you don’t want to bring your boyfriend home to. He seems pleasant enough, but he’s also so protective of his daughter, that you would be walking on eggshells anytime you’re around him, especially if you’re in a kitchen full of knives. Funnily (or stupidly) enough, another bad guy attempted to take his daughter in Taken 3. But, we all know how that ended, and it definitely wasn’t in the bad guy’s favor.  

President James Marshall (Air Force One) 

You wanna talk about fathers? Well, how about our founding fathers, with one of them being George Washington. Known for his bravery and cunning, many Americans consider Washington to be one of America’s greatest presidents, and (check out this segue), one could argue that James Marshall, played by Harrison Ford, is one of America’s greatest movie presidents. 

Quite frankly, Marshall does not negotiate with terrorists. Which is bad news for Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman), as Marshall isn’t just some pushover president. Nah. He fought in Vietnam and even won the Medal of Honor for his duties. So, mistake #1 was hijacking the plane, but mistake #2 (and this was the even bigger mistake), was taking his wife and daughter hostage. Because that’s what really set him off. Of course the bad guys lose and the good guy wins, because America. Amirite?  

Cameron Poe (Con Air) 

Since we’re already on the topic of planes, let’s talk about Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), in the awesome (but sometimes nonsensical) ‘90s movie, Con Air. Poe, who went to jail for defending his wife, is the kind of father who will make sure you die if you even dare tamper with the bunny (Just put it back in the box!) that he got for his daughter. 

In a lot of ways, everything he does here is to be back home with his family. Because he was locked up for eight years, he’s going to be coming home to a daughter he didn’t really get to watch grow up. So, that’s why there’s nobody on earth (Or in the air!) who’s going to stop him from seeing his daughter.  

Sean Archer (Face/Off)  

Since we’re on the topic of Nicolas Cage, who I’m always happy to talk about, why not transition over to another ‘90s classic, Face/Off, starring Nic Cage and John Travolta? 

Now, this is going to be a tricky one to describe if you’ve never seen the movie, but John Travolta plays Sean Archer, whose son dies early on, due to Castor Troy, a terrorist played by Cage. Due to a series of events, though, Travolta’s face gets swapped with Cage’s so their roles flip. Now, Cage becomes “the good guy,” and Travolta is bad.

No matter whose face he has, Sean is a good dad (even though he’d been neglecting his wife and daughter while going after Troy). When he realizes how he’s been so single-minded in his pursuit, he learns the true value of being a parent. So much so, that he’s even willing to adopt his rival’s son just to keep him from a life of crime. What a mensch! 

Roger Murtaugh (Lethal Weapon Series)  

Okay, enough of the ‘90s. Let’s talk about the ‘80s, and Lethal Weapon! Roger Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover, is a family man, through-and-through. He’s a Vietnam vet, and will do anything for his kids, such as try to rescue his daughter, Rianne (Traci Wolfe), who gets kidnapped in the first movie by a cartel.

Or, how about how awful he feels in Lethal Weapon 3, when he kills his son’s friend, and then declines mentally due to his guilt? In every way, Murtaugh is the kind of dad who isn’t perfect, but tries his damn best each and every day. And, I can relate as a parent. Because just like Murtaugh, I’m getting too old for this ish.  

Ogami Itto (Lone Wolf And Cub Series) 

On the surface, Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama) seems like he might actually be a bad parent. I mean, what kind of dad brings his child into combat where he could die at any point? But, Itto actually presented his baby with an ultimatum: Choose the sword, and he could come with him. Choose the ball, and he would die at his father’s hand. 

Yeah, that still sounds pretty bad, but at the same time, bringing a baby carriage into combat is certainly a hindrance. Itto is ride or die now that he’s committed to taking his son along on his quest for vengeance. Hey, his kid even contributes, killing along the way as well. You know what they say! The family that slays together, stays together. That is what they say, don’t they? 

Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)  

While I’ll debate with you all day which is the better Indy sequel–Last Crusade or Temple (It’s Temple!), what I won’t debate with you is what a fascinating father Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery) is to Indy (Which was the dog’s name!). At first, he seems aloof to his child, as they don’t quite see eye-to-eye. But, throughout their journey together for the Holy Grail, we learn just how similar they actually are to each other. 

It’s also worth noting that Senior truly loves his son, and that it was hard for him to deal with his wife’s death. In turn, Indy truly loves his dad. But, like many contentious families, they’re more alike than they’re ever willing to admit. 

 Who’s your favorite dad in an action movie?  

Depending on who you talk to, some feel that the world, and the 2024 movie schedule, is a lawless landscape. In times like those, someone needs to bring justice back, and put the villains on the run. Which is why it’s a fantastic thing to hear that Liam Neeson’s Naked Gun reboot is finally moving forward. Like a movie focused on the precision of Swiss timepieces, it’s about time.

The good news broke through Variety, which confirmed that the long in-development resurrection of the Leslie Nielsen-starring brand is now happening real soon. Neeson is the only participant cast so far, with July 12, 2025 being the current release date set for The Naked Gun’s new adventure. 

Previously, Paramount had taken big steps on the creative side with the hiring of the Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers team of director Akiva Schaffer and writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. Combined with the powers of producer Seth MacFarlane, this project already looks quite promising, and it'll have only taken the franchise 31 years to return to theaters by time this picture's intended release date arrives!

The history behind The Naked Gun's potential reawakening is pretty long, if you know where to look. The would-be kickoff event for this iteration of The Naked Gun occurred back in 2021, when MacFarlane convinced Liam Neeson to be part of the project. However, that’s only part of the story, as Paramount has been trying to get the series back into action as far back as the 2013 Ed Helms-led reboot pitch that never came to pass.

Liam Neeson’s excitement for The Naked Gun reboot hasn’t died down in the slightest. Though he’s certainly kept busy with his run of action movies like Memory and Retribution, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise to hear the man waxing poetic about revisiting Leslie Nielsen’s classics in preparation. With roughly three years waiting for this day to come, it looks like that prep is about to pay off.

So what could we see in the new era of The Naked Gun? Well, we still don’t know if this would be a legacy-quel that follows in the shadow of Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin, or if Liam Neeson is supposed to be the “new” Frank. Either of those prospects would fit in this revamp of one of the best satirical screwball comedy franchises to ever hit the screen. But like Robin Hood at a drive thru, it’s gonna take a lot of concentration to hit the target.

Classic Naked Gun fans, don’t fret! Just because a reboot is on the way doesn’t mean the classics have gone out of style. In fact, at the time of this publication, you can catch the entire Naked Gun trilogy through access to a Max subscription.

Look, I know Schindler’s List is often considered to be Liam Neeson’s best movie, and I get it. Schindler’s List is an excellent film, and definitely one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies.  

I also know that a lot of people would probably pick something like Taken, or Batman Begins, or hell, even Darkman if you happen to love Sam Raimi movies (that might also have a Bruce Campbell cameo here or there).  

But no, ever since I watched 2011’s The Grey, it has dethroned every other Liam Neeson movie I’ve ever seen. And sure, while I'm well aware that The Grey doesn’t appear on a lot of people’s lists of Liam Neeson’s best movies, that’s what I’m here to argue, right? Because I can definitely back it up.    

Oh, and spoilers up ahead.  

Liam Neeson Makes For A Fascinating Leader Of Men 

The Grey is an interesting character study, which you’d never imagine from the action-packed trailer, (which I’ll get into later). In the film, Neeson plays a sharpshooter who protects the men he works with from the Alaskan wildlife. The men are a group of average Joes who work at an oil facility, and due to a plane crash, the survivors end up trapped in the wilderness, being stalked by wolves.   

Now, following Taken, which even Neeson was shocked was so successful, for awhile, the running gag was that Neeson was starting to play a number of characters with a certain set of skills. We saw this kind of action hero in other films like The A-Team, Non-Stop, Unknown, etc. 

You know what I mean. Because after Taken, Liam Neeson sort of became the middle aged tough guy, and if you re-watch the trailer for The Grey, you kind of get a sense that that’s what you’re going to get with this movie, too.   

But then, it’s not that at all. The Grey is a very different film, which almost feels meditative in nature. Liam Neeson’s character, John Ottaway, is a man with nothing to lose, as earlier in the film, we learn that he was suicidal after the death of his wife. So, it’s almost like every day that he decides to continue living is because he understands the frailty of life.

When the plane crashes, and the men panic, Ottaway looks at the matter in a rather philosophical manner. He realizes that they are sitting ducks, and since he understands wolves (and also that he himself is the alpha in this situation amongst the survivors), that he has a role to fulfill. This might be why he frequently thinks back to a poem titled, “The Fray” which has a very existential meaning to it in the context of their situation.

The other men look to Ottaway as a leader not because they entirely trust him, but more because they understand that he is the only one who understands nature in a way that they will never comprehend. 

Honestly, Ottaway is the most complex character I’ve ever seen Liam Neeson play, and for that reason alone I think this makes The Grey Neeson’s best movie, but I have other reasons as well! 

The Film Defies Expectations 

I remember watching this movie in the theater when it first came out, and one thing I distinctly remember was the audience’s disappointment.  

I recall one guy snoring loudly in front of me, and another person constantly tsking, which I assume was because the movie was not as quick-moving or as action-packed as he probably thought it would be. Liam Neeson performing stunts in Batman Begins, this wasn’t.    

Instead, the film called a lot into question in regards to faith, or the lack thereof. It’s existential, and also heady. And so, I get it. In the trailer, we were promised Liam Neeson kicking some wolf ass. Because in one enthralling scene in the trailer, Neeson’s character breaks some mini liquor bottles to form a weapon for his fists as he charges headfirst at a wolf, and yeah, that would have been awesome if that had been the whole movie-Liam Neeson kicking ass.  

But, do you know what? It would have also been pretty forgettable in the long run. Because while yes, The Grey could definitely be considered a “scary animal movie," it’s so much more than just that. 

So much so, that I often feel like The Grey is underappreciated, and often forgotten because it’s such a deeper film than just, “Liam Neeson fights some wolves.”  

Liam Neeson Has Never Appeared More Vulnerable As He Does In This Movie  

Liam Neeson is a real tough guy in The Grey. And at the same time, he isn’t. I mentioned earlier how he plays a leader of men in The Grey, but here’s the thing about that. Every last survivor of the plane crash who he tries to save, he doesn’t. One by one, the men either get picked off by the wolves or die in some other way, and one by one, you can tell that another part of his character dies because of it. 

Because as we learn in the beginning, he couldn’t save his wife, who died of a terminal illness, and whom he thinks about frequently throughout the film. And while I don’t live inside Liam Neeson’s head, I can’t help but wonder if a part of him thought about his own wife, Natasha Richardson, who tragically died in a skiing accident not too many years prior to this film’s debut.

That raw vulnerability lives inside Liam Neeson’s performance, and you can see that sense of loss in his eyes, as well as his constant struggle to find meaning in life. 

And even though we didn’t put The Grey in our list of thoughtful movies about depression, I would definitely categorize The Grey as a movie that’s absolutely about processing grief, and the distinct sense of loneliness that can only be found in depression. It’s that kind of movie.     

That Airplane Crash Scene Gets Me Every Time 

Ever since the plane crash in Lost, I’ve kind of gotten over plane crashes in stories. I find the plane crash scene in World War Z to be ridiculous, and overall, I just don’t like them in general. I find them to be a cheap and lazy way to grab an audience’s attention.     

But I DON’T feel that way about The Grey. The plane crash scene in this movie is one of the most visceral, violent, and terrifying moments that I’ve ever seen in any film. So much so that it gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. I think it’s the fact that it’s punctuated by silence, and then roaring, aggressively loud moments that are still shocking on the small screen, but were a blast to the senses on the big screen.   

That plane crash scene alone is really worth the price of admission, but I think there’s one other thing about The Grey that cements it as my favorite Liam Neeson movie.   

That Ambiguous Ending  

I adore ambiguous endings. I know a lot of people hate the ending to The Sopranos  since it ends ambiguously, but I love how we never truly know Tony’s (or even his family’s) fate. The same goes for No Country For Old Men. I remember walking out of that movie, completely blown away, and pretty much everybody else I went with was annoyed because they couldn’t grasp the ending. As if they had to grasp the ending in order for them to like it!  

Nope, the more ambiguous the ending, the better it is for me, since it leaves me thinking about the film long after I’ve watched it, and I’ve thought about The Grey ever since I first saw it.

I truly love how we don’t know who the victor is at the end of the movie, and it makes me think about The Grey more than any other film that I’ve ever seen with Liam Neeson in it.  God, I love this movie.

But, what about you? Are you also a fan of The Grey? I honestly never hear anybody talk about this movie, and I always wonder why. It’s a quality film. For more news on all things Liam Neeson, be sure to swing by here often!  

Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood are also some of the most often snubbed by the Oscars when it comes to Best Actor and Actress Academy Awards. Legends like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many others have somehow had some of the most successful careers in film, but have only been nominated for one Academy Award in the acting categories. 

Harrison Ford - Nominated For Best Actor (Witness)

Harrison Ford is a national treasure, most everyone will agree. Everyone, it seems, except The Academy, as he has only ever nominated once, for 1985’s Witness. This actor has been in two of the biggest franchises in history, plus the two Jack Ryan movies and so much more. He should’ve been nominated for The Fugitive at least. 

Eddie Murphy - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Dreamgirls)

Another icon of the late 20th Century and early 21st Century is Eddie Murphy, who has only been nominated once, for Dreamgirls in 2007. This is probably more testament to the Academy's apparent lack of appreciation for some of his best comedic performances because I dare you to find better ones in history than Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop or Coming To America. 

Gwyneth Paltrow - Nominated For Best Actress (Shakespeare In Love)

Gwyneth Paltrow will likely be a polarizing name on this list because the actor herself tends to be, but she’s had a number of wonderful performances over the years. Roles in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Emma, and The Royal Tenenbaums are all worthy of more consideration than she’s received over the years. She's earned just one nomination for Shakespeare in Love, for which she also won. 

Taraji P. Henson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)

Taraji P. Henson has been nominated for more than thirty acting awards across her sterling career. Somehow, only one of those was for an Academy Award. Her lone Oscar nomination was for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008, and it’s frankly astounding that’s the only one. At a minimum, she should have been nominated for Hidden Figures alongside her cast-mate Octavia Spencer. Hopefully, this changes with her role in the upcoming remake of The Color Purple. 

Hugh Jackman - Nominated For Best Actor (Les Misérables)

Hugh Jackman is one award away from achieving EGOT status. The “O” is missing and shockingly he’s only been nominated once for an Oscar, for his performance in Les Misérables. The multi-talented Jackman has won so many awards, but is shut out yearly at the Academy Awards. The Oscars may not show much respect to comic book films, but everyone else does, and saying he should have been nominated for Logan isn’t a stretch, nor is saying it about his performance in The Greatest Showman.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the most versatile actors of her generation. Horror, comedy, drama, she does it all. And yet, she has little to show for it in terms of Oscar nominations. She finally was nominated (and won) for Everything Everywhere All At Once but where were the nominations for My Girl and A Fish Called Wanda?

Salma Hayek - Nominated For Best Actress (Frida)

It’s been more than two decades since Salma Hayek was first nominated for an Oscar, for 2001’s Frida and she’s not been nominated since. Hayek is an icon and one of the most beloved actors today, yet never seems to get the attention of the Academy. This is likely in part due to the discounting of action films, which have become Hayek’s bread and butter, but that doesn’t mean her performances in movies like Traffic and Beatriz at Dinner weren't worthy of attention.

Matthew McConaughey - Nominated For Best Actor (Dallas Buyers Club)

When Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club after being nominated for the first and only time, he led his speech with his trademark “Alright, alright, alright” and while his role in Dazed and Confused is a classic, he certainly deserved nominations for other roles, like how about a nod for his supporting role in The Wolf Of Wall Street or his performance in the vastly underrated Mud?

Samuel L. Jackson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Pulp Fiction)

If there is anyone on the list that should be a perennial nominee, it’s Samuel L. Jackson. His lone nomination came from his unforgettable and meme-able turn in Pulp Fiction, but he’s an actor who steals every scene he's in, in a good way. Just his roles in Quentin Tarantino films alone, like Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, are worthy of nominations, but it hasn’t happened, sadly. Thankfully for all of us, Jackson was given an honorary Oscar in 2021 for his contributions to film, which is some consolation. 

Uma Thurman - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Pulp Fiction)

Speaking of Pulp Fiction, the Tarantino classic also led to Uma Thurman’s one and only Academy Award nomination. Despite being one of the biggest stars on the planet, Thurman seems to have no luck getting the attention of the Academy. One role that really stands out is in the under-appreciated Prime. 

Benedict Cumberbatch - Nominated For Best Actor (The Imitation Game)

One has to believe that more nominations will be coming for Benedict Cumberbatch. Thus far, his only acknowledgment from the Oscars was for his wonderful performance as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. There are plenty of other roles he could have been nominated for, especially as William Bulger in Black Mass and Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate and that’s just the roles in which he’s played real people! 

Mark Wahlberg - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Departed)

In 1990, no one would have expected “Marky” Mark Wahlberg to appear on any kind of list like that, but almost 35 years later, it’s astounding his only Oscar nomination has been for The Departed (one of our picks for the 100 best movies of the 2000s). You have to question why he was ignored for Boogie Nights, for sure. The Fighter is another clear snub, though he was technically nominated for Best Picture as a producer of the film. 

Halle Berry - Nominated For Beat Actress (Monster's Ball)

When Halle Berry earned her one Oscar nomination for 2001’s Monster’s Ball, she was the odds-on favorite to win. She had become one of the biggest stars of the 1990s and now was her time to shine. She won, of course, but sadly, it would be the last time Berry would be nominated, so far, at least. It’s a shame because there are plenty of roles she’d be deserving of a nomination, like Frankie & Alice, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Laurence Fishburne - Nominated For Best Actor (What's Love Got To Do With It)

This could be the most shocking on the list. At first thought, you might guess Laurence Fishburne was nominated for his amazing work as Furious Styles in Boyz n the Hood or Professor Phipps in John Singleton’s other masterpiece, Higher Learning. Alas, the Matrix star has only one nomination, for playing Ike Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, and he didn’t win. 

Josh Brolin  - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Milk)

Josh Brolin has been a favorite since he was a teenager in The Goonies. He’s also starred in some powerhouse movies, like Sicario and, most of all, No Country For Old Men. No Country won a slew of Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Barden, and yet Brolin wasn’t even nominated. It frankly doesn’t make sense. Brolin’s lone nomination came from his wonderful performance in Milk, but that was the year that the late Heath Ledger won for The Dark Knight.

Sharon Stone - Nominated For Best Actress (Casino)

You could argue that while Sharon Stone was brilliant in Casino, it wasn’t even her best performance, though it’s the only time she’s been nominated. She wasn’t nominated for Basic Instinct, despite winning the Golden Globe for the role, nor for the underrated The Muse in 2000. At least we have Casino. 

Tilda Swinton - Nominated For For Best Supporting Actress (Michael Clayton)

2007's Michael Clayton was awash in acting nominations, including George Clooney for Best Actor and Tom Wilkinson for Best Supporting Actor. The only winner of the night, though, was Tilda Swinton for Best Supporting Actress. Over her incredible career, Swinton has been honored for other roles, like her parts in The Deep End, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and even Snowpiercer, but this remains her only Oscar nod. 

Liam Neeson - Nominated For Best Actor (Schindler’s List)

Long before Liam Neeson re-invented himself as an action star in summer blockbusters, he was a character actor carving out a nice career in film. Then came the epic Schindler's List. He was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor in a movie, though he lost out to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia. In the 30 years since, Neeson has not been nominated, not even for fantastic turns in The Gangs of New York, Michael Collins, or Rob Roy. For shame.  

Lupita Nyong'o - Nominated For Best Actress (12 Years A Slave)

Lupita Nyong'o burst onto the Hollywood scene with her heartbreakingly beautiful performance in 12 Years A Slave. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress and has since been racking up the accolades everywhere... except the Oscars. Despite well-received turns in Us and Queen of Katwe, not to mention her roles in the Black Panther films, she hasn't again been nominated. 

Sean Connery - Nominated For Best Supporting Actors (The Untouchables)

Sean Connery was one of the biggest movie stars in the world, and yet he was virtually ignored by the Academy for his whole career. Setting aside his brilliance as James Bond, Connery should’ve earned nods for The Hunt For Red October, and The Name Of The Rose, at least. Instead, his only nomination came for The Untouchables, which, thankfully, he won. 

Alec Baldwin - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Cooler)

Another fantastic performance in The Hunt for Red October that didn’t get recognition is Alec Baldwin’s as Jack Ryan. Baldwin could’ve been nominated for either of his two on-screen performances in 1992, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Prelude To A Kiss, but again he was snubbed. His only nomination came for his role in The Cooler.

Diane Lane - Nominated For Best Actress (Unfaithful)

Diane Lane found her footing in film in the late 1990s with outstanding performances in movies like A Walk on the Moon and The Perfect Storm, either of which could've been award-winning. Instead, it wasn't until 2002's Unfaithful that she got the recognition she deserved when she was nominated for Best Actress. 

Bill Murray - Nominated For Best Actor (Lost in Translation)

The Academy has missed out on great performances by one of the best comedic actors the world has ever seen in Bill Murray. Stripes, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, and Groundhog's Day are some of the most beloved comedies of all time, and Murray was never recognized. Nor was he for his brilliant turns in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Murray's sole nomination came, deservingly, for 2003's Lost In Translation. 

Jennifer Connelly - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (A Beautiful Mind)

Jennifer Connelly has been wowing audiences for decades, including in 2022's massive hit Top Gun: Maverick. It appears though, that she has not been wowing the Academy, as she's only ever been nominated for one Oscar, which she won, for her role in 2001's A Beautiful Mind. Other roles have earned her other awards, like her parts in Requiem For A Dream and The House of Sand and Fog, but to date, nothing from the Academy Awards. 

Kathleen Turner - Nominated For Best Actress (Peggy Sue Got Married)

Despite massive hits like Body Heat, Serial Mom, and of course, Romancing The Stone, Kathleen Turner has only earned one Oscar nomination, for the vastly underrated Francis Ford Coppola film from 1986, Peggy Sue Got Married. Surely this icon of the screen deserves more. 

Robert Redford - Nominated For Best Actor (The Sting)

It’s astounding that the great Robert Redford has only one acting nomination in his whole career, for The Sting. Though he defined what a movie star is, Redford never received Oscar attention for roles in All The President’s Men, All Is Lost, Out Of Africa, and Three Days of the Condor, among many others. The list is endless here. He has been nominated twice for Best Director, for Ordinary People and Quiz Show, and won for the former. Redford also received an Honorary Oscar in 2002.

Catherine Zeta-Jones - Nominated For Best Actress (Chicago)

At the 75th Academy Awards, Chicago was the biggest winner of the night, garnering 13 nominations and winning six of them, including Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Actress. Alas, this, so far, is the only time the Welsh actress has even been nominated, despite powerhouse roles in Traffic and Entrapment. At least she shares this dubious distinction with her husband Michael Douglas. 

Micheal Douglas - Nominated For Best Actor (Wall Street)

Gordon Gekko in Wall Street is one of the all-time great cinema villains and Michael Douglas richly deserved the Academy Award he won for playing the part in 1988. An actor with a slew of amazing performances from Falling Down, to Traffic, to Fatal Attraction and more, with only one acting nomination. He was also nominated/won for Best Picture in 1976 as the producer of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

Lauren Bacall - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Mirror Has Two Faces)

Lauren Bacall was one of the true icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in such films as The Big Sleep, Key Largo, and many, many more over her career. Shockingly, it took until 1997 for the Academy to recognize her work when she was finally nominated for a Best Supporting Actress role for The Mirror Has Two Faces. She did finally receive a well-deserved honorary Oscar in 2000. 

Kevin Costner - Nominated For Best Actor (Dances With Wolves)

Dances With Wolves was the darling of the Oscars in 1991. It was nominated for 12 awards, winning seven, including Best Director for Kevin Costner and Best Picture, which Costner won as a producer. It was also the one and only time Costner has been nominated for an acting Academy Award. There are so many other iconic parts he should’ve gotten more credit for, like JFK, Bull Durham, The Untouchables, and Hidden Figures, just to name a few. 

It just goes to show that even being a huge box office draw, and a megastar doesn't mean you'll get recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oscars are incredibly hard to win and even being nominated is an honor, they say. Still, for everyone on the list, you'd think they'd have more than one.  

In 2005, three years before he starred in Taken and was shocked by its success, Liam Neeson starred in Batman Begins as Henri Ducard/Ra’s al Ghul, Bruce Wayne’s mentor-turned-enemy. While Batman Begins was arguably one of the most important superhero movies of the 2000s, it turns out that Neeson is “not a fan” of the genre as a whole, but there was something special about the first installment of Christopher Nolan’s installment in the Dark Knight trilogy that hooked him in anyway.

We’re coming up on 20 years since Batman Begins opened in theaters, and while Christian Bale, the man who brought Batman to life in that movie and its two sequels, returned to the superhero movie realm last year to play Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder, Liam Neeson hasn’t followed suit. While speaking with Rolling Stone, the Schindler’s List actor shared that he simply doesn’t like this particular cinematic genre for the most part, saying:

It’d be surprising for a Hollywood star of Liam Neeson’s caliber to not have starred in a superhero movie this far into the genre’s popularity streak, though it’s not unheard of (just look at Leonardo DiCaprio). But at least Neeson did lend his acting talents to one superhero movie, as well as cameoed in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises as a vision of Ra’s al Ghul that Bruce Wayne sees while he’s recovering from his back being broken by Bane. Nowadays though, while Neeson is impressed by the technology used in these superhero movies, he finds such features to be narratively repetitive. 

As for what attracted Liam Neeson to do Batman Begins, when the Rolling Stone interview mentioned the noir elements infused into the Dark Knight trilogy, the actor responded: 

It’s appropriate for Liam Neeson to be talking about noir elements considering his latest movie is Marlowe, where he plays the latest cinematic depiction of Raymond Chandler-creation Phillip Marlowe. But looking back to the past, the noir of it all and his costars are enough for Neeson to think back fondly on his time working on Batman Begins, but that experience was enough to scratch his superhero movie itch. Neeson has also said he has no interest in doing a Qui-Gon Jinn spinoff for Disney+, feeling that the Star Wars brand has become diluted because there are so many spinoffs.

Marlowe is playing in theaters now, and while Liam Neeson’s upcoming movies include Retribution, In the Land of Saints and Sinners and Thug, it’s unclear for now if any of them will be among the 2023 new movie releases. Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises can all be streamed with an HBO Max subscription.

Liam Neeson and his “particular set of skills” monologue in 2008’s Taken will probably now and forever be aligned not only as an iconic moment in action movie history, but as the most memorable in the actor's career. But apparently Neeson didn’t predict the coveted place Taken holds across his massive filmography. He initially found it all to be rather “corny” actually. 

Neeson has shared before that he originally thought Taken was going to flop when it hit theaters in January of 2009, but it ended up making up its production budget during opening weekend before earning $226 million worldwide and counting itself among the top 25 highest grossing movies on the domestic front that year. Here’s Liam Neeson’s latest thoughts on his big success with Taken: 

As Neeson told Vanity Fair, he had no idea Taken would become a massive action franchise and even turn into a short-lived TV show on NBC. When speaking to his “particular set of skills” moment that he’ll never run away from given its iconic status, Neeson said this: 

It goes to show that many projects that become so important to pop culture don’t always happen on purpose, and those involved don’t necessarily realize when they’ve landed on something that will make them famous. Liam Neeson was a successful actor prior to Taken, having starred in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List and the Star Wars franchise (which he thinks Disney is currently “diluting”), as well as big films like Gangs of New York, Love Actually and Batman Begins. But it was Taken that made him an action star at 56 years old. 

Nearly 15 years later, Neeson has starred in numerous action films, something he previously said he will retire from “at some stage” before later walking back his comments and saying he meant it as a joke. Neeson’s latest movie is a neo-noir crime thriller called Marlowe that has the actor playing a private detective hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress. 

Neeson turned 70 years old last summer summer and is still finding work, especially in the action genre, which is in large part thanks to his iconic role in Taken. He’s known for the guy with a “particular set of skills,” and loyalty churns out some great performances as such. Next up, Neeson might switch things up in a big way once his Naked Gun remake finally takes off. 

Before we see that, you can check out Neeson in Marlowe, now in theaters. Get ready for the actor to also star in a couple more 2023 new movie releases with crime action movie Retribution and western In The Land of Saints and Sinners, which both come out in June. 

While these days it seems that every actor in Hollywood is either already playing a comic book superhero, or is in talks to become a comic book superhero, for decades one of those most iconic franchise film roles was James Bond. The role only came open every now and then and so when it happened it was a big deal, with all sorts of stars expressing interest in playing Bond. Liam Neeson was once considered for the role, but he walked away from it to make his wife happy, something he never let her forget.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Liam Neeson discusses the fact that he once did express interest in playing James Bond when the role was available. Back in the mid-’90s after Timothy Dalton left the role, Neeson was at least considered, but at the same time he showed interest in Bond he was also engaged to Natasha Richardson. Richardson, who passed away in 2009, apparently was very much against Neeson taking the role, to the point where he had to choose Bond or marriage. He chose the girl, but he apparently used to tease her about it afterward… 

Of course, even if Natasha Richardson had been in favor of her husband playing James Bond, there’s no guarantee that Neeson would have ended up in the role. The role at that time ended up going to Pierce Brosnan and he had to have been a front-runner from the very beginning. He had been expected to take the role years earlier after Roger Moore left the part, but was contractually obligated to his Remington Steele TV show after the series was, somewhat unexpectedly, renewed before the next Bond movie went into production.

In the years since, however, we’ve seen Neeson build a second career out of action movies, so he certainly had the ability to handle that part of the job. He probably would have been a pretty good James Bond. In the end, I’m guessing that Liam Neeson doesn’t regret picking his future wife over a movie role. And he got to tease her incessantly because of it, which he apparently enjoyed quite a bit.

The ladies on The View rarely seem to let anything stop them from voicing their opinions, even when their musings come at the risk of boos from the audience or being sprayed down by their fellow co-hosts. However, it’s not as frequent that those vocalized opinions leave their guests as uncomfortable as Liam Neeson clearly was during his recent visit. The action film star has since shared his own views — and they’re less than complimentary — about the “embarrassing” interview, in which Joy Behar’s longtime crush on the actor overshadowed all other topics.

Liam Neeson dropped by the Emmy-winning ABC talk show on February 15 to promote his new movie Marlowe. What he got was a different experience altogether, as Joy Behar’s crush on the actor was quickly revealed, leading to some awkward silences from the overwhelmed co-host and jabs from her colleagues like, “Joy wants to get ‘Taken’ by you.” The star of stage and screen opened up to Rolling Stone about how uncomfortable he was, after looking forward to discussing real issues with the panel. He recalled: 

It certainly must have been disappointing for Liam Neeson to think he was going to be able to engage in some debate about important issues like gun violence, only to have the entire interview revolve around Joy Behar’s crush. The Love Actually actor said he did, however, get to have that conversation, albeit off the air. Neeson continued: 

Embarrassing for Liam Neeson or Joy Behar? Sounds like both! When the actor joined the co-hosts on stage, they briefly discussed his new movie, Marlowe — which made around $2 million in its opening weekend at the box office — before Joy Behar turned the topic back to her crush. The shift garnered some eye-rolling from Liam Neeson, as the ladies discussed the Valentine’s Day cards he’d gifted each of them and asked him to draw hearts on them.  

Joy Behar then turned the focus back to Neeson’s career, but again, the conversation was quickly hijacked when the ladies continued to mention just how often Behar has spoken about the actor on The View over the years. Sunny Hostin even introduced a cringe-worthy montage that showed Behar talking about being aroused by the Taken movies and saying multiple times to “sprinkle my ashes over Liam Neeson.” You can see the full interview that made the famed actor so uncomfortable below: 

You can definitely see from Liam Neeson’s body language in that clip that he was not happy about the way that interview went down. What was probably such a big moment for Joy Behar may not be the happiest memory for The View co-host after all. I wonder if there’s somewhere else she wants her ashes scattered now? Perhaps she'll provide an update on a future broadcast.

When Star Wars: The Phantom Menace opened in May 1999, it had some notable star power attached in the form of Liam Neeson, who played Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Although Qui-Gon met his demise at the hands of Darth Maul towards the end of the movie, the character has remained a fan-favorite all these years later, and Neeson’s even had a few opportunities to reprise Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mentor. However, Neeson has shared that he’s not a fan of the Star Wars franchise released so much content these days.

Liam Neeson shared this opinion on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen while promoting his 2023 new movie release Marlowe, as he was asked by a fan if he was interested in doing a Qui-Gon Jinn spinoff for Disney+. The actor answered:

This statement comes eight months after Liam Neeson cameoed at the end of the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale as Qui-Gon Jinn in Force Ghost form, appearing before the title character after he’d returned to Tatooine. While Liam Neeson said that it was nice to do the “little bit” with Ewan McGregor more than two decades after they were first paired together in a galaxy far, far away, but that was enough for him. Not only does he have no interest in leading any kind of Qui-Gon project, he thinks there’s an overabundance of Star Wars content out now, which has diminished the franchise in his eyes.

The last several years have certainly seen an increased output of onscreen Star Wars stories. Granted, a Star Wars movie hasn’t been released since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, and while there a number of them in development, including Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, the movie Taika Waititi is writing with Krysty Wilson-Cairns and the movie Shawn Levy will work on once he’s done with Deadpool 3, none of them have release dates. Conversely, Disney+ subscribers have had access to shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor, and Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew and The Acolyte (which has an especially stacked cast) are on the way. All that, plus the video games, novels and comic book series being regularly churned out, mean that Star Wars fans aren’t lacking for ways this franchise can keep them entertained.

Still, maybe you feel like Liam Neeson does and wish the Star Wars franchise would reduce this output, placing more emphasis on quality over quantity. Well, that wish may just be granted, as THR recently shared that Disney will cut down on the amount of Star Wars and Marvel projects made in order to cut costs. This doesn’t mean we’ll go back to the days when a year or more would pass before new offerings from either franchises were released, but evidently the landscape won’t be as crowded going forward. 

In any case, sorry for those of you who’ve wanted to see a Qui-Gon Jinn-centric movie or TV show, but it’s not going to happen. But if you want to know the latest on what’s happening with Star Wars both on the big screen and on Disney+, keep CinemaBlend as your destination for such news.

The potential for a Liam Neeson-starring revival of The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad is a dream that’s been waiting to become reality. In the past couple of years, updates have hit here and there referencing Paramount’s movement on bringing back Leslie Nielsen’s iconic comedy franchise. Well, it may not be long before we see that project join the list of upcoming movies in the near future.

Like a giant learning the mambo, the studio has taken some pretty huge steps. Per unnamed sources that have spoken to Deadline, the wheels are turning  yet again on a new Naked Gun movie. What separates this latest news from previous reporting is the fact that there’s now a director and screenwriting team in the mix. Fresh off of the Disney+ comedy Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, director Akiva Schaffer has been tapped to helm the movie, with writers Dan Gregor & Doug Mand also joining in to write a new draft. 

Liam Neeson is in negotiations to play the lead, who allegedly may be the son of Frank Drebin, Leslie Nielsen’s character from the first three Naked Gun movies.

Looking back at the combined work that was done by the Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers creative team should be all anyone needs to sell them on why this is the right move. Basically, if you took away the Disney brand limitations and cranked up the crazy a little bit, you’d have The Naked Gun anyway. Anyone who enjoyed that film, or even its spiritual predecessor, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, would definitely dig the vibe of this storied franchise.

The project is a great opportunity for Liam Neeson to pursue comedy beyond his drama and action films. Previously, Seth MacFarlane was mentioned as working on developing the new Naked Gun with his own team of writers. While The Orville creator is still involved, his role looks to be only as a producer now. One can hope that hasn’t dimmed Neeson’s enthusiasm for a role for which he seems like a perfect fit.

Could The Naked Gun answer the question of whether or not Liam Neeson will retire from action movies? We’ll have to wait and see on that for the moment. But there is tremendous potential for the project with with Akiva Schaffer and his Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers writers along for the ride, and we're keeping hope alive for the return of the brand's special comedy magic.

As for the subject of upcoming Liam Neeson movies, his new film Marlowe is set to debut in theaters on December 2. Those of you looking to revisit the Naked Gun films starring Leslie Nielsen can do just that with access to Showtime, which can be purchased as an add-on through several existing services, like a Paramount+ subscription. Finally, if you’re looking for love in all the wrong places, we can’t help you there; but good luck!

Disney+ had a massive hit on its hands with the Ewan McGregor-led series Obi-Wan Kenobi. The show saw several fan favorite stars from the Star Wars prequel films reprise their roles like Hayden Christensen, who returned as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Of course, fans were also excited to see a surprise cameo from Liam Neeson, who reprised his role as Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn. During the course of his career, Neeson hasn't dabbled in TV much, so why did he make an exception for McGregor's show despite being a "TV snob?"

Liam Neeson recently appeared at the San Sebastian Film Festival (via ComicBookMovie.com), where he was promoting his latest film, Marlowe. During the event, Neeson was asked about his long-awaited return to the Star Wars franchise, and his reasoning for returning to the fold was honest and very straightforward. The Phantom Menace actor revealed:

So it would seem that the 70-year-old actor simply didn't want anyone else playing the role. One can understand his feelings though, had he been unavailable, I doubt Disney and Lucasfilm would've tapped another actor for the job. (Though they could've found a way to insert him digitally.) While his appearance was brief, it certainly resonated with a number of viewers and, based on the actor's comments, the crew was moved by his moment with Ewan McGregor as well.

Though this was the first time Liam Neeson had appeared on screen as Qui-Gon for a live-action production since Episode I, this isn't the only time he's returned to the galaxy far, far away since then. The actor previously provided voiceover work for The Clone Wars and had one of many vocal cameos in The Rise of Skywalker. He is also said to be lending his voice to the upcoming animated series of shorts Tales of the Jedi. It's unclear whether Neeson would return again to play his character in live action again, but I know fans would definitely be on board to see more of him in the role. After all, they spent years theorizing how Qui-Gon could return before Obi-Wan Kenobi aired.

Though the chances of such a reprisal may be quite slim, as the star previously stated that he had "no desire" to do more Star Wars and superhero movies. So I don’t think he’d be keen on participating in a Qui-Gon Jinn series even if it were ever proposed. These days, the Taken star seems to be focusing mostly on smaller projects like Marlowe, in which he plays a private detective probing a case in the 1950s.

Still, there's plenty of room for hope, as I never even thought Liam Neeson would return for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let's keep speaking another live-action reprisal into existence and, if you haven't already, stream the limited series and the prequel films using a Disney+ subscription. Also, keep an eye out for other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

As much as Star Wars has become one of the more divisive film franchises in recent years, part of the reason that everybody feels so passionately about it is that people do ultimately love Star Wars. Even, it turns out, kids who have no idea what Star Wars is love Star Wars, as Liam Neeson has revealed in a story from the production of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Liam Neeson recently reprised his role from that first Star Wars prequel in the final episode of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+. In a new interview with ScreenRant, Neeson revealed that the new series had reminded him of a moment during the production of The Phantom Menace more than two decades ago when Neeson’s very young son shared a sweet moment with R2-D2. The actor explained…

I’m sure there are some grown adults that would give R2-D2 a hug if they had the opportunity to do so, you probably get in trouble if you hur R2 at Galaxy’s Edge, but the mental image of a small child doing it is just adorable. Even the little kid felt an apparent need to give the motionless R2 a hug. He wasn’t going to let dad keep him away.

Whatever you think of Star Wars overall, pretty much everybody loves R2-D2, somebody once spent nearly $3 million to own an original R2 prop, so maybe this reaction is understandable. Except, as Liam Neeson points out, the two-year-old kid doesn’t actually know anything about Star Wars at this point. He hasn’t seen a movie and wouldn’t understand it if he had. Although George Lucas apparently told Liam Neeson that this is just how all kids react to R2. Neeson continued…

Maybe it’s an example of just how much Star Wars has become part of the cultural fabric of the world. Even kids who have never seen Star Wars still have enough of an understanding of it to recognize R2-D2 when they see him. Or maybe that little droid is just perfectly designed to attract children. Most fans likely became Star Wars fans as children, and this moment shows just how easy that can be.  

Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't yet watched the entirety of Obi-Wan Kenobi, so beware!

Obi-Wan Kenobi featured quite a surprise in its finale, with a massive Jedi cameo nearly stealing the show even after the clues foreshadowing their appearance. Now, as Disney+ subscribers await news about a potential Season 2 or other follow-up, Qui-Gon Jinn actor Liam Neeson confirmed that was him as the Force Ghost, and shined some light on why he returned to the world of Star Wars after years of saying he was fine to be done with it all. 

Liam Neeson, whose wise mentor character Qui-Gon Jinn made his debut and later died in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, spoke to THR about his live-action(ish) return as a Force Ghost in Obi-Wan Kenobi's final moments. Neeson explained he reprised his role for a number of reasons, one of which involved his former co-star Ewan McGregor:

Liam Neeson mentioned the key point that he didn’t want another actor playing Qui-Gon Jinn, and fortunately for him, it doesn’t appear as though Star Wars and Disney execs were keen to discuss substitutions either. The actor donned his classic look for the character and finally appeared to Obi-Wan Kenobi as a Force Ghost after many requests from an oft-desperate Kenobi throughout the six-episode series. It marked the first time audiences saw Qui-Gon as a Force Ghost in live-action, and lays the groundwork for a potential reprisal should Obi-Wan Kenobi get another season. 

Should Obi-Wan Kenobi return for another season, though, it’s hard to imagine Liam Neeson would factor into the story in a meatier way than his cameo in Obi-Wan's conclusion. When Alec Guinness appeared as a Force Ghost during the original Star Wars trilogy, he only had about a minute of screentime in The Empire Strikes Back, and a little under two and a half minutes in Return of the Jedi (via Gold Derby). Granted, that probably worked just fine for Guiness.

Considering Star Wars' powers that be are trying lots of things out in this new era, perhaps Neeson’s Force Ghost could command just a bit more screentime if there are opportunities for him to return. Let’s also not forget that now that Liam Neeson is back as Qui-Gon Jinn in the Star Wars universe, there is always an opportunity for another prequel series centering squarely on his Jedi character. 

Neeson is only one of a few who would be able to confirm if that’s something that’s in the works, and he wasn’t exactly honest about his involvement in Obi-Wan Kenobi when asked ahead of the final episode airing. So with that in mind, the best we can do is wait and see if he’ll reunite with McGregor should more episodes come for Obi-Wan Kenobi, or if Qui-Gon Jinn might return to Star Wars in another way entirely.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is available right now on Disney+ and is totally worth rewatching for the Vader scenes alone. I’m crossing my fingers for more adventures with the character and maybe even some updates on what’s happening with Reva after her arc.