Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson Crack Up the Screen in The Naked Gun
Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) isn’t your typical action hero—sure, he’s determined to crack the case, but in The Naked Gun, his methods are as chaotic as they are effective. Produced by comedy mastermind Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy) and directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), this reboot revives the outrageous spirit of the original trilogy while carving out its own place in slapstick history.
MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of the Zucker brothers’ brand of humor, says the spark for this new chapter was simple: “I thought Liam Neeson in a Naked Gun movie would be hilarious. He’s the one guy who could pull it off—and he did.”
Joining Neeson in this madcap mystery is Pamela Anderson as Beth Davenport, a sly femme fatale with more warmth than meets the eye, alongside a cast that includes Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston.
In this chat, Neeson and Anderson spill the secrets behind the laughs, share their favorite on-set moments, and explain how they made comedy work without taking themselves too seriously.
Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr.
How did you get involved with The Naked Gun?
Liam Neeson: Well, [producer] Seth MacFarlane, who is an old pal, called me up a couple of years ago and dangled the idea of me doing this reboot and this character. And I said I was interested. It was as simple as that.
Pamela Anderson: I had an audition with [director] Akiva Schaffer, who shared my audition tape with Liam [Neeson] and I was lucky that they offered me the role.
Tell us about your character, son of the iconic Frank Drebin, popularized by the late Leslie Nielsen?
LN: I play Det. Frank Drebin Jr. He’s a very committed police inspector. But he’s bumbling. He’s not stupid, but he has a naivete to him. He finds himself in situations and kind of does the wrong thing—but with the right attitude. And it lands him in lots of precarious situations that he has to, hopefully in a funny way, find a way out of.
Pamela Anderson as Beth Davenport
What drew you to the role of Beth Davenport?
PA: I had just kind of restarted my career. I did Broadway and I did The Last Showgirl, and I thought it would be a nice juxtaposition to do a high comedy after doing a drama, so that was exciting to play with. Plus, I really respond to comedy and in this case, the fact that they even thought of me for this was so exciting. I’m glad I did it.
How did you prepare for your role?
PA: I work a lot on the character before I even get to the set. I like to bring a lot with me and then just be flexible enough to work with the director on the character. I feel if it’s a drama or a high comedy, you still put the work in. So we talked a lot about her backstory and the story line. (Akiva) is very scientific with the jokes, but I also really wanted to bring honesty and authenticity to the character, and vulnerability. So it was a collaboration. I see some very sincere and tender moments, which I don’t think you'd really expect in a film like this. I was really proud to see that.
"Pamela Anderson plays the femme fatale, I guess, that’s the best way to describe her character, who is very beautiful, sexy and funny," Neeson says of Anderson.
What was your favorite scene in this movie?
PA: I think the montage is one of my favorites. I really loved all the snowman scenes. It was really cute. It was all fun. I mean, it was all exciting and fun. I love the connection and like I said, it’s very interesting to work with such an incredible actor, because I’m just soaking it in like a sponge. I feel like I’m new at this. So I really, you know, pay attention and watch and observe him and on and off camera. How he conducts himself is really incredible to witness and to learn from.
How was it working with director Akiva Schaffer?
LN: Akiva was terrific to work with. He was from the world of Saturday Night Live, which is a very funny show. He’s very smart, a comedy nerd, I would say, and I mean that in the best possible way. A very good writer. This genre, feature film comedy genre, is new for me, certainly. So I relied on him a lot.
On set with director Akiva Schaffer (left) and Paul Walter Hauser, who plays Neeson's sidekick in the film.
How is this reboot different from the original films?
LN: Our film has the same tone as the originals. Hopefully, a lot of giggles from the audience at some funny situations that the characters find themselves in.
Do you think this film honors the originals?
LN: Yes, I think it does. It certainly does not insult them. And it is called The Naked Gun.
PA: I think it definitely honors the old [movies] and having Akiva direct – I know people say comedy comedy is hard, but comedy is timing. There’s so much that goes into it. I mean, definitely the inspiration comes from the original Naked Gun, but he definitely put his own twist on it. There’s some definitely Akiva moments in it that are like no other.
What was it like working with Pamela?
LN: Pamela Anderson plays the femme fatale, I guess, that’s the best way to describe her character, who is very beautiful, sexy and funny. Pamela is all that and more. Any scene with Pamela Anderson was terrific, and I always looked forward to working with her. I think we got on well. She’s certainly become a new pal. She’s terrific to work with. No big ego, no airs, graces. We had a few laughs on set, yeah. (Her character) Beth and myself, we try to solve the big crime in the film together. We’re butting heads occasionally but that’s part of the fun.
Anderson on working with Neeson: "He’s such a sweetheart, and he’s so giving and generous and was so complimentary and supportive that, you know, you can’t help but fall in love with Liam."
How was it working with Liam Neeson?
PA: I'm familiar with Liam’s career. He’s had such an incredible career, starting in theater and being part of this acting royalty, you know, from Schindler’s List and all the other films he’s done. So it was intimidating. I was afraid to meet him. I was literally shaking the first day I came to rehearse our first scene. But once we got going, I mean, he’s such a gentleman. He’s such a sweetheart, and he’s so giving and generous and was so complimentary and supportive that, you know, you can’t help but fall in love with Liam.
Can you talk about Paul Walter Hauser and his character?
LN: Paul Walter Hauser plays my sidekick, Ed, in the film. I hadn’t met Paul before, but I’d seen him in a couple of films before. He’s very good and talented, and hilariously funny.
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What was the appeal of The Naked Gun to you?
PA: I love the Naked Gun movies. I thought they were really funny. They’re just such crazy, silly comedies. And I think the world needs that right now. Everyone needs a good giggle. And this movie definitely has some of those [laughs]. Liam’s fantastic. I think everyone is going to fall in love.
"He’s very good and talented, and hilariously funny," Neeson says of costar Paul Walter Hauser.
What do you think audiences will like about The Naked Gun?
LN: I hope they love it. As I say, give audiences a few giggles. Maybe a couple of belly laughs.
Why would you recommend that people see this movie in cinemas?
LN: I think it’s important that we as human beings, as groups, sit together, and see movies or cinema in the theater. It’s a thrilling experience, especially when it’s a comedy. To sit together with a bunch of strangers and laugh at the same stuff, giggle at the same stuff. I think it’s very important for our souls.
PA: I’m a big supporter of going to the theater. I love going to the theater and any movie is seen best on a big screen, with all the stunts and the wild, the craziness, everything going on. And there’s a lot of stuff. There’s layers, like if you see it once, if you see it the next time, you might see something different. There’s a lot of references and funny things in the background and so I think it’s much better on a big screen. And it’s definitely one of those movies you need to have like, you know, candy and popcorn and friends, and you’ll get a kick out of it much better in a theater.
The Naked Gun opens in Philippine cinemas August 13.
