Liam Neeson has always been one of the prize treasures of this region, and he continues to take his craft to impressive new levels even at the late stages of his acting career. First, he rebranded himself as an action star after years spent in dramas. Now, he’s showing his comedic skills as well, with an incredible performance in The Naked Gun.
With the reboot going down extremely well with modern audiences, there’s already talk of a sequel. Neeson could become the new face of this franchise and star in more films in the future.
Neeson Was Lauded for His Comedic Performance
When it was announced that Neeson would be taking over from the iconic Leslie Nielsen in a Naked Gun reboot, it wasn’t surprising that many people were dubious. There was no doubt over Neeson’s credentials, but a rebrand this late in his career appeared risky. However, the 73-year-old had already made some cameo appearances in comedy series such as Life’s Too Short, showing that he did have potential as a deadpan star.
On top of that, Nielsen was also a serious actor before he branched into spoofs, so it made sense for Neeson to do the same thing. The 2025 version of the Naked Gun was a gamble for all involved, but it was one that paid off. Neeson was praised for his comedic turn, and deemed a more than worthy successor to Nielsen. Now, viewers are desperate to see him return as the bumbling Lt. Frank Drebin Jr.
Reboot Should Capitalise on Modern Franchise Model
It wouldn’t make sense for Paramount Pictures to reboot the Naked Gun after all this time and then not capitalise on its success. That’s why there’s already talk of a sequel. Like the original series, that sequel could spill over into future offerings as well.
In today’s film industry, it makes a lot of sense to adopt this franchise model and add to successful pictures. By releasing sequels and spinoffs, it’s possible to attract more people to a franchise. This marketing model works well in other forms of entertainment as well, with online slots a prime example.
In a saturated market, Megaways casino games no longer stand out simply for having the innovative mechanic. Instead, developers have realised they need to expand franchises to get a greater share of players. This was seen with Poseidon Ancient Fortunes, which now spans a couple of different games. Various other successful slots have done this as well, such as the Big Bass series.
The Naked Gun films could expand into other media too, with the potential for spinoff television series and games. Doing this could help attract more viewers and elevate Neeson’s status to comedic legend.
With no Naked Gun sequel yet confirmed, fans may need to wait a few more years to see Neeson back in this hilarious role. However, there are plenty of other opportunities to see the Northern Irishman in action. He’s set to star in Cold Storage, Hotel Tehran, and The Mongoose, which are all currently in post-production.
