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Synopsis
📅 Release Date & Production
Premiere Date: August 1, 2025 (United States and UK), Australia follow‑up later in the month
Runtime: ≈ 85 minutes, rated PG‑13
Director: Akiva Schaffer (of Lonely Island fame)
Producers: Seth MacFarlane & Erica Huggins via Fuzzy Door, distributed by Paramount Pictures
Writers: Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor & Doug Mand, with additional script input from MacFarlane and others
👥 Cast & Characters
Liam Neeson → Frank Drebin Jr., the bumbling detective son of Leslie Nielsen’s classic character
Pamela Anderson → Beth Davenport, a crime‑novelist turned femme fatale who steals the show with a bold jazz‑scat musical number titled “Sassafras Chicken in D”
Paul Walter Hauser → Captain Ed Hocken Jr., Drebin’s straight‑man partner
Kevin Durand → Villainous Sig Gustafson
Danny Huston → Richard Cane, a shady tech billionaire
Liza Koshy → Detective Barnes
CCH Pounder → Chief Davis
Moses Jones → Nordberg Jr. (a consistent homage to O.J. Simpson’s original character)
Cameos include: Priscilla Presley (as Jane Spencer), “Weird Al” Yankovic, Busta Rhymes, Cody Rhodes, Dave Bautista
🕵️ Plot Overview (No Spoilers!)
Police Squad is on the brink of shutdown, facing a corporate takeover by a tech billionaire with shady ties. Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. must investigate a mysterious death while trying to save the iconic New York‑style police division from becoming a Halloween superstore. Classic pratfalls collide with modern satire in a mission that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
🔥 Standout Scenes & Share‑Worthy Moments
Pamela Anderson’s jazz‑scat number in a cabaret club. This over‑the‑top musical bit is already trending across social media.
Blink‑and‑miss Priscilla Presley cameo, paying homage to the original films in under 7 seconds.
WWE’s Cody Rhodes as a resistant bartender who eventually caves (literally) under Drebin’s bar antics.
Busta Rhymes as a dead‑pan bank robber, delivering a punny one‑liner that’s perfect for memes.
A single subtle joke about O.J. Simpson/Nordberg Jr., intended to nod at legacy without sensationalism.
🧭 Critical & Audience Reaction
| Region | Reception Summary |
|---|---|
| United States, UK, Canada | Positive – praised as a successful revival honoring its slapstick legacy; early viewers called it the funniest movie in ages. |
| Sweden & EU Press | Mixed to negative – criticized for heavy‑handed nostalgia & crude humor. Some called it “angst‑provoking” or “tasteless 90s throwbacks.” |
Across the board, critics note Liam Neeson’s impeccable deadpan commitment and Anderson’s surprisingly strong comedic timing. However, many reviewers say the third act sags a bit under convoluted plot resolution.
🤝 The Zucker Saga: Original Creator Reacts
David Zucker, co‑creator of the original Naked Gun trilogy, publicly refused to watch this reboot, calling it stylistically inferior and squarely outside the comedy he helped pioneer. His dismissal has fueled debate—and clicks—across fan forums and film blogs.
⚙️ SEO & Social Strategy Tips
Suggested blog Title (max 60 chars):
The Naked Gun (2025) Reboot: Release, Cast & Viral Moments
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Discover The Naked Gun reboot: Liam Neeson’s comedic debut, Anderson’s viral scat scene, cameos, original‑director drama, and mixed reviews.
Suggested Internal Tags:
the naked gun reboot • Liam Neeson comedy • Pamela Anderson film • Akiva Schaffer movies • Police Squad revival • spoof comedy
Permalink Slug:
naked‑gun‑2025‑reboot‑review
Featured Image Idea:
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✅ Publication Checklist
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