Akiva Schaffer, the writer-director behind the new reboot of *The Naked Gun*, had his doubts about reviving the beloved franchise initially. However, he quickly realized the comic potential in casting Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., stepping into the shoes of the legendary Leslie Nielsen.

Since its inception, *The Naked Gun* has had a storied history, with creator Seth MacFarlane taking the helm for this reimagining after a series of failures in attempts to revive the series. MacFarlane’s first step was to recruit Neeson, an actor he previously worked with on projects like *A Million Ways to Die in the West* and *Ted 2*.

Erica Huggins from MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions soon turned to Schaffer for direction, owing to his success with *Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers* (2022) and his previous cult hit, *Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping*. However, Schaffer wasn't all in right away—he demanded a complete rewrite of an earlier script that MacFarlane and his team had deemed too derivative.

Schaffer, wanting a fresh approach, enlisted the help of his *Rescue Rangers* collaborators, Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. A compromise was reached to include the beloved theme music in the closing credits instead of the opening scene, a move Schaffer defended passionately: “I love the siren opening, but we need to feel fresh. Our opening credits should feel like *Terminator 2*!”

Addressing the O.J. Simpson Elephant in the Room

When Schaffer shared that he was working on *The Naked Gun*, everyone wanted to know how he would handle O.J. Simpson's character, Nordberg. In response, he crafted a memorable scene dubbed the "Hall of Legends." This moment, seen in the first teaser, pays homage to the franchise’s roots while skillfully sidestepping controversy.

However, Schaffer made a conscious choice to limit any further O.J. jokes. "We never wrote another O.J. joke after that," he explained. “It was poignant enough to acknowledge his character without making light of his real-life misfortunes." The decision turned out to be a wise one, as the initial joke resonated well with audiences during test screenings.

Neeson, Anderson, and the Future of Comedy

As Schaffer continued the conversation with *The Hollywood Reporter*, he reflected on the potential of this new reboot to influence the future of studio comedies. The film has been described as pivotal, with some critics declaring it one of the summer's most important movies.

The director expressed high hopes for the film's success, despite the precarious state of comedy cinema today. He passionately noted, "If *The Naked Gun* works, it might change the landscape, but a great movie can pave the way for success regardless of gender or genre." He champions the notion that a fantastic movie can thrive commercially.

Schaffer's excitement also extended to the partnership of Neeson and Pamela Anderson, who appear together in their first film collaboration. He explained that while casting was challenging, Anderson embodied the humor and charm necessary for her role. "Pamela has that spark, just like Priscilla Presley did in the originals," he emphasized.

Balancing Legacy and Innovation

In a landscape where legacy sequels often fall into predictable tropes, Schaffer prided himself on pursuing originality. He avoided excessive callbacks to the previous films, reinforcing that his goal was to create something fresh, akin to how *Creed* redefined the *Rocky* franchise.

As the conversation closed, Schaffer hinted at his interest in more installments in the franchise, humorously referring to a potential *Naked Gun 2½* sequel. Fans eagerly await how Schaffer’s version of *The Naked Gun* will be received, optimistic that it will not only honor the legacy but also pave the way for the future of comedic storytelling.