It is set to be a busy month for Liam Neeson as Paramount officially released a teaser trailer for their highly anticipated reboot of Naked Gun. The 72-year-old has taken on the role of Frank Drebin Jr. – the son of Leslie Neilsen's infamous detective character from the original films. The upcoming film is directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth Macfarlane, known for his work on Family Guy and Ted. Neeson will star alongside the likes of Pamela Anderson and Danny Huston to continue the legacy of the cult franchise.
The teaser trailer showcases a comedic and chaotic scene, where a violent hostage situation unfolds in a bank. In a surprising twist, Neeson’s character is first seen disguised as a schoolgirl, complete with a plaid miniskirt and strawberry panties, which adds a humorous layer to the tension. The trailer also includes a nod to O.J. Simpson, a former star of the original movies.
In a clip shown at CinemaCon, Neeson’s character is seen beating a man with his own dismembered arms, juxtaposed with comedic dialogue that highlights the film's absurdity. At one point, Neeson tells a character he is interrogating, "It says you've served 20 years for man's laughter. Must have been quite the joke," showcasing the film's mix of dark humor and slapstick comedy.
Away from the spotlight, Liam Neeson shares a close relationship with his two sons, Micheál and Daniel, who have both carved their own paths in the entertainment industry. Despite the tragedy of losing his wife, Natasha Richardson, in 2009, Neeson has remained a devoted father. "It’s an ongoing joy being a dad. It’s always a joy, but it’s a joyful worry," he told Her Magazine in 2012.
Micheál Neeson, born in June 1995 in Dublin, is no stranger to the world of showbiz. He often joined his father on the set of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Micheál shared during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2021 that watching his father's movies was somewhat traumatic. "I watched all their movies, but it was kind of traumatizing at the age of 5 seeing my dad sliced in half by a lightsaber or blown up in an explosion and also kissing somebody else," he recalled.
Initially, Micheál had his sights set on the fashion industry, interning at prestigious locations like Savile Row and Celine. However, he soon shifted his focus to acting, landing roles in films such as Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Vox Lux, and The Big Dogs. He has been candid about dealing with the loss of his mother, stating in an interview with The Sunday Times in 2015 that he subconsciously pushed his grief away. "In my mind, subconsciously, I either pushed it out or stored it deep inside. And so, within the next week I was like, ‘Okay, on with my life.'" In a 2020 interview with People, he emphasized the importance of remembering loved ones, saying, "When you lose somebody so close to you, sometimes you just push it away and out of your head because the thought of them hurts. But I found that’s an unhealthy thing to do. You have to remember them."
Daniel Neeson, born in New York City in August 1996, graduated from Tulane University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in theater and digital media production. Like his brother, Daniel initially explored the fashion industry, launching an eco-friendly charitable clothing line named Pine Outfitters in 2017. However, he admitted to People that fashion was not always his first choice. "I was a massive athlete. I loved to play sports like hockey and soccer, tennis and football and all of that. I always wanted to be a producer in the entertainment industry or a hockey player or something like that," he shared.
Unlike his brother, Daniel has been more private about discussing their mother's death. He did, however, share an emotional Instagram post on the 15th anniversary of Natasha's passing in March 2024. In the post, he expressed his longing to reunite with her one day, stating, "I look forward to reuniting one day but for now I take solace in knowing you’re beside me every step of the way. Hopefully, I’m making you proud. I think you would definitely be proud of my margarita skills. She was the OG margarita mama! As a kid, I used to ask her for a sip of hers, and she would gently say not till you’re older. Little did she know I would one day start my own tequila brand and have way too many margaritas at my fingertips."
The Naked Gun reboot is set to open in theaters on August 1, 2025, and with its blend of humor and nostalgia, it promises to attract both new audiences and fans of the original films. With Neeson's unique take on Frank Drebin Jr., the film is poised to deliver a fresh yet familiar comedy experience, continuing the legacy of the beloved franchise.
