No Sequel Planned for Liam Neeson’s Hit Comedy Reboot ‘The Naked Gun,’ Director Akiva Schaffer Confirms

Fans hoping for more bumbling detective antics from Liam Neeson’s Frank Drebin Jr. may be out of luck. Director Akiva Schaffer has confirmed that a sequel to the 2025 reboot of the classic spoof franchise The Naked Gun is not in the works, despite the film’s strong critical and commercial success.

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In an exclusive interview at the Critics Choice Awards on January 4, Schaffer told reporters, “We are not planning another.” He cited the recent ownership changes at Paramount Pictures—following the merger with Skydance Media—as a factor, noting the shift occurred just days after the film’s August 1, 2025 release. “We’re waiting to see if they would want it,” he added, though he revealed that he and co-writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand have “a list of gags” ready should the opportunity arise.

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The news aligns with earlier comments from star Liam Neeson, who described the project as a “one-off” during promotional interviews last summer. At 73, Neeson proved his comedy chops as the inept son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic Lt. Frank Drebin, delivering deadpan humor amid absurd set pieces, raunchy gags, and celebrity cameos. Co-star Pamela Anderson shone as his love interest, bringing glamour and sharp timing to the role reminiscent of Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer.

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Released on a modest $42 million budget, the film grossed $102.1 million worldwide ($52.6 million domestic, $49.5 million international), making it a profitable hit and one of the top comedies of 2025. It earned an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its laugh-a-minute pace and faithful homage to the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker style of the originals. The reboot also won Best Comedy at the recent Critics Choice Awards and has dominated streaming charts on Prime Video.

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Schaffer, known for Lonely Island hits like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, assembled a stacked supporting cast including Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, and CCH Pounder. Producer Seth MacFarlane’s involvement added Family Guy-esque irreverence, while surprises like “Weird Al” Yankovic kept audiences roaring.

Original director David Zucker famously declined to watch the reboot, calling it unnecessary, but modern audiences embraced the update as a rare big-screen laugh riot in an IP-heavy landscape. Parody films have struggled lately, and Schaffer noted the genre’s challenges: “Parody films are tricky to land.”

While producer Erica Huggins expressed enthusiasm for potential follow-ups earlier, the current stance is cautious amid studio transitions. Fans have flooded social media with pleas for more, but for now, Neeson’s Drebin Jr. hangs up his badge after one hilarious case.

The film remains available on digital platforms and streaming.