David Zucker, the director of the original Naked Gun, is seeing a bright side to the reboot’s success, even if he won’t be watching it. The new film features Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin’s son, the character portrayed by Leslie Nielsen. It opened strong, earning $17 million at the box office, which is promising for a comedy with a modest budget.
Zucker is enthusiastic about the movie’s reception. He believes it shows there’s a real demand for comedies in theaters, especially spoofs. “I texted the director Akiva Schaffer to say I hear the reviews are great,” Zucker shared with The Hollywood Reporter. Even though he’s excited, he has no plans to see the film. He previously worked on a script for a fourth Naked Gun installment, focusing on Drebin’s son, but that script was set aside when Paramount chose a different direction.
Zucker continues to affirm that he doesn’t watch sequels made by others. “It’s not what I would have done,” he remarked, commenting on a past offer to see an early version of the new film. He values his original work too much to associate himself with projects he hasn’t directly contributed to.
It’s interesting to note that Zucker was offered an executive producer credit but turned it down, highlighting that he doesn’t need the money. “If it’s a big hit, Akiva should get the credit,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Zucker hopes the reboot’s success could revive interest in his long-in-development project, now titled Counterintelligence. He also has a noir comedy script called The Star of Malta that he plans to shoot soon.
The buzz around the new Naked Gun has sparked conversations online. Many fans on social media express excitement and nostalgia for the original films, while others are discussing how comedy has evolved in the current entertainment landscape.
In summary, while Zucker may not be part of the new film, he wishes it success. He appreciates the recognition from fans and the industry, and he remains hopeful about his own upcoming projects.
For those interested in how film genres change over time, you might find this report on the resurgence of comedy films insightful: Film Trends Report.
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