Original Naked Gun Creator David Zucker Launches Scathing Attack on Paramount's 2025 Reboot
David Zucker, the legendary comedy filmmaker who co-created the iconic Naked Gun franchise, has delivered a blistering critique of Paramount Pictures' 2025 revival of the series. In an exclusive interview, Zucker, 78, labelled the studio's decision to replace original star Leslie Nielsen with Liam Neeson as "moronic" and declared that the reboot has "ruined" the beloved comedy franchise.
'If Your Daughter Became a Prostitute, Would You Go Watch Her Work?'
Despite his strong condemnation, Zucker revealed he hasn't actually viewed the 2025 film, offering a characteristically provocative analogy: "If your daughter became a prostitute, would you go watch her work?" The filmmaker, who alongside his brother Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams created the classic 1980 comedy Airplane!, expressed profound disappointment with Paramount's creative direction.
Zucker directed the first two Naked Gun films and co-wrote the third installment, establishing the franchise's signature absurdist humour through Leslie Nielsen's unforgettable portrayal of bumbling detective Frank Drebin. The character first appeared in the short-lived 1982 television series Police Squad! before transitioning to three successful feature films between 1988 and 1994.
Rejected Script and Creative Differences
The veteran director disclosed that Paramount overlooked his proposed script for a fourth Naked Gun film in favour of producer Seth MacFarlane's approach. Zucker had collaborated with writers Pat Proft and Mike McManus on what he describes as a "great idea" that would have transported the franchise from its traditional Los Angeles police station setting to the world of spy thrillers like James Bond and Mission: Impossible.
"We set our Naked Gun 4 in the James Bond, Bourne Identity, Mission: Impossible world, so it wasn't the same thing," Zucker explained. "It wasn't copying. It would have been with a young comic actor like Andy Samberg."
Instead, Zucker claims Paramount opted to "merely try to, with blinders on, copy a 30-40 year old idea... and replacing Leslie Nielsen, what a moronic thing to do!"
Repurposed Script and Future Hopes
Despite his frustration, Zucker revealed he has repurposed his rejected Naked Gun 4 script into an independent project titled 'Counter Intelijence' - deliberately spelled with one 'l' and a 'j'. He expressed hope that this alternative version might still reach production, stating: "Paramount ruined the franchise, and it's too bad, but I repurposed the script. It's just such a great script. Maybe someday it'll be done."
The filmmaker is currently developing his own next project, a film noir spoof called The Star of Malta, which he promises will authentically recreate the visual style of 1949 cinema. Zucker is also teaching an online comedy course called MasterCrash, based on the 15 rules of comedy developed by the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team during their classic film productions.
Hollywood's Risk-Averse Culture
Zucker attributed Paramount's decision to what he perceives as Hollywood's increasingly risk-averse culture. "They're just so afraid of doing anything original that they thought, on paper, you can't miss with Seth MacFarlane and then Liam Neeson is a big star, and Pam Anderson," he remarked.
The director was careful to clarify that he doesn't blame the reboot's cast, noting: "Liam and Pam are really great actors. I've worked with Pam before. She's a lovely person, but the whole concept was wrong. Liam Neeson wasn't at fault for it."
Zucker contrasted Paramount's approach with what he considers smarter franchise management elsewhere, pointing out: "The Wayans are doing the next Scary Movie. That's the smart decision for Paramount. Mel Brooks is doing Spaceballs again... but somehow I was not allowed to do my own franchise. Figure that one out!"
Despite his professional disagreements with MacFarlane and the reboot's director Akiva Schaffer, Zucker acknowledged their personal respect, noting they visited his home and expressed admiration for his original work. "They idolize these movies," he said. "So how can you be angry or mad at somebody who keeps telling you what a genius you are? But it's frustrating in the business... all I care about is doing something original. I don't want to do what I did before."
