The Naked Gun Reboot Trailer Drop Teases Absurd Comedy This Summer

Las Vegas, Nevada — The anticipation builds for the reboot of the beloved comedy franchise, The Naked Gun, as the first teaser trailer was unveiled during CinemaCon on April 3, 2025. The film is set to debut in theaters nationwide on August 1, 2025.

This latest installment features Liam Neeson portraying Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the late Leslie Nielsen‘s iconic character, who aims to follow in his father’s bumbling footsteps. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the cast also includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and rising stars Liza Koshy and Cody Runnels.

The trailer opens with a tension-filled scene at a bank under siege, where a cute young girl appears to enter, only to pull off her disguise and reveal herself as Drebin Jr. armed with a lollipop. He quickly takes down the armed robbers before introducing himself with a comedic twist: “Frank Drebin, Police Squad. The new version.” This absurdity sets the tone for what fans can expect, intertwining a sense of nostalgic hilarity with a modern spin.

Screenwriters Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Akiva Schaffer have crafted a script that pays homage to the original series while updating it for today’s audience. The teaser hints at maintaining the franchise’s trademark silliness, acknowledging its history, even with references to previous characters.

Notably, previous films in The Naked Gun series, which originally aired from 1988 to 1994, carved out a unique niche in American comedy with their blend of slapstick humor and satirical commentary. The reboot aims to rekindle that spirit while introducing a new generation to its slapstick magic.

While many details about the plot remain under wraps, fans can expect Neeson’s performance to embody the spirit of Leslie Nielsen. Critics have noted that part of Nielsen’s charm was his ability to deliver lines with stone-faced seriousness, making the outlandish scenarios even more entertaining.

The reaction to the trailer has been largely positive, with excitement building among long-time fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. Having secured a high-profile lineup, including Anderson, whose recent credits include a Golden Globe-nominated role in The Last Showgirl, the film is poised for a robust box office performance.

As the summer release date approaches, additional promotional material is expected, which may offer a deeper glimpse into the tone and direction of the plot. The early response suggests that audiences are eager to see if The Naked Gun can successfully blend nostalgia and contemporary filmmaking while adhering to the outrageous humor that fans have loved for decades.