10 Announced Movie Remakes That COULD Be Great
6. Naked Gun
A remake of the legendary comedy franchise The Naked Gun has been in the works for many years, with Ed Helms originally attached to fill the shoes so unforgettably and inimitably worn by the late, great Leslie Nielsen.
But the project stalled and was eventually retooled with Liam Neeson taking the Nielsen role - an unexpected yet inspired choice given Neeson's well-demonstrated knack for dry, self-deprecating comedy in a bevy of supporting and cameo roles.
Moreover, the film is being directed and co-written by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island fame, which suggests it'll tout an unhinged, left-field tone far from a generic studio comedy vehicle.
And if nothing else, the first trailer for the Naked Gun remake/reboot/requel/whatever has put a lot of concerns to bed.
Neeson is clearly going for broke playing the son of Nielsen's Frank Drebin, and a closing gag that makes reference to the whole OJ Simpson debacle suggests it's going to push boundaries and take chances with its comedy.
Leslie Nielsen may be irreplaceable as Frank Drebin, but this is a rare reimagining of a hit comedy franchise that actually looks like it might be worthwhile.