Sequels and reboot

Following the surprise box office success of The Naked Gun, two sequels were quickly greenlit, cementing the series as a comedy powerhouse.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) saw Lt. Frank Drebin attempt to foil an evil energy plot while struggling with heartbreak. Returning stars Nielsen, George Kennedy and Priscilla Presley kept the slapstick sharp, while the film poked fun at eco-politics and action-thriller tropes. It grossed over $86 million worldwide.

The final instalment, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), put Drebin undercover in prison to prevent a terrorist attack at the Oscars.

The film was loaded with celebrity cameos and Hollywood gags, though it received slightly more mixed reviews than its predecessors.

Now, over 30 years later, the franchise is being rebooted by Paramount, with Liam Neeson starring as Frank Drebin Jr. and Pamela Anderson as his love interest Beth.

The film is slated for release on 1 August 2025, aiming to introduce a new generation to ZAZ-style spoof madness.

Neeson reflected: “I never thought I’d do slapstick, but this script really got me. It’s a tribute to Leslie.”