Original Naked Gun director David Zucker has launched a fresh attack on the recent reboot of the classic comedy franchise starring Liam Neeson, claiming producers have "totally missed" the unique style that made the original films so beloved.
The Spoof Comedy Legacy
In a revealing interview with Woman's World, Zucker didn't hold back his criticism of the new production, particularly targeting producer Seth MacFarlane, known for directing and co-writing the Ted movies. Zucker stated that MacFarlane "totally missed" the distinctive spoof-comedy approach that he, along with collaborators Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, pioneered fifty years ago.
"My brother, Jerry, and our partner, Jim Abrahams, started doing spoof comedies 50 years ago, and we originated our own style - and we did that so well that it looks easy, evidently," Zucker explained. "People started copying it, like Seth MacFarlane for the new Naked Gun."
The director emphasised that while their comedy style might appear random, there's careful thought behind every gag. "It can look like we're just throwing stuff up against the wall to see what sticks, but we're not. There's thought behind it."
The Leslie Nielsen Problem
Zucker saved some of his strongest criticism for the attempt to replace the late Leslie Nielsen, who originally played the iconic character Frank Drebin. Nielsen passed away in 2010, and the reboot features Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr.
"They tried to replace Leslie Nielsen in the new Naked Gun, and you can't replace him," Zucker declared unequivocally. "No one else can do that."
This isn't the first time Zucker has expressed concerns about the reboot. Back in 2024, before the film's release, he voiced his displeasure about the franchise being handed to other creators, noting that he hadn't been contacted to make a cameo or contribute to the writing.
From Conciliation Back to Criticism
Interestingly, Zucker's position has shifted over time. Following the film's release in August, when it received positive reviews and strong box office returns, the director appeared to soften his stance.
At that time, he expressed excitement that the film demonstrated "there's a strong market for comedy in movie theatres, and spoof in particular."
However, in his latest comments, Zucker has returned to his critical position, taking aim at the production's budget. "Big budgets and comedy are opposites," he argued, "and in the new Naked Gun, you could see that they spent a lot of money on scenes full of technical pizzazz while trying to copy our style."
The director concluded with a blunt assessment of the motivations behind the reboot: "Everybody's in it for the money now, and that feels like the only reason why they wanted to do a new Naked Gun."
The new Naked Gun film, featuring Liam Neeson taking on the deadpan detective role, has generated significant attention since its release, though it's clear the original creator remains unimpressed with how his comedy legacy has been handled.
