Filmmaker David Zucker, the visionary behind the iconic 1988 comedy “The Naked Gun,” has openly expressed his profound disappointment and strong criticisms regarding the upcoming reboot of the beloved spoof comedy franchise. In an exclusive interview, Zucker did not mince words, delivering a brutal verdict on the new iteration and specifically targeting the casting of Liam Neeson, along with the creative direction helmed by Seth MacFarlane.

Zucker revealed that his critical stance stems from a personal exclusion from the project; he was not consulted nor invited to participate in the reboot’s development. Despite having a script rejected by Paramount Pictures, the studio opted to move forward with producer Seth MacFarlane, leaving the original creator entirely out of the process, a decision that clearly weighs heavily on Zucker.

While acknowledging Hollywood’s business realities, Zucker conceded that he understands Paramount’s rationale for choosing MacFarlane, given his proven track record, and Liam Neeson’s status as a major star. However, he firmly believes that the approach lacks true originality, stating, “it’s not a fresh idea,” hinting at a potential misinterpretation of the original film’s comedic genius.

The original “Naked Gun,” starring the late Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, and Ricardo Montalban, achieved significant box office success in 1988, paving the way for two popular sequels in the 1990s. Zucker, alongside his brother Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams—collectively known as ZAZ—was also the creative force behind other cult classics like “Airplane!” and contributed to the “Scary Movie” franchise, cementing his legacy in spoof comedy.

Interestingly, Zucker recounted an earlier conversation with Seth MacFarlane, where MacFarlane expressed profound admiration for Zucker’s past works, including “Naked Gun” and “Airplane!” While flattered, Zucker emphasized that admiration alone does not equate to the nuanced understanding required to replicate the unique comedic style, drawing a humorous analogy to his dry cleaner being a fan without the necessary filmmaking skills.

A core part of Zucker’s critique revolves around Liam Neeson’s casting. He questioned the choice of an “Oscar quality” actor for a role that, in the original, relied on Leslie Nielsen’s understated B-movie persona. Zucker argued that Nielsen didn’t “need to be funny” because his comedic impact came from his deadpan delivery and reaction to absurdity, rather than actively trying to be humorous. This fundamental difference, according to Zucker, misses the essence of the “Naked Gun” humor.

Zucker also recalled his late creative partner Jim Abrahams’s similar disinterest in sequels that deviated from the original spirit, underscoring a shared philosophy on comedic integrity. Despite his strong reservations about the reboot, Zucker extended his well wishes to MacFarlane and the new creative team. Currently, Zucker is channeling his comedic prowess into new original projects, including a “Naked Gun” style parody of spy thrillers titled “Counter Intelijence” and a film noir spoof, “The Star of Malta.”

His candid commentary highlights a broader industry debate regarding reboots and the delicate balance between honoring original material and introducing new perspectives. Zucker’s insights serve as a poignant reminder of the specific comedic touch that made “The Naked Gun” a timeless classic and raises questions about whether the new film can truly capture its predecessor’s unique appeal.