by admin | Aug 1, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
Preview:
- Cooper Hoffman and Ike Barinholtz are aboard ‘Artificial’.
- It’s ‘Challengers’ and ‘After the Hunt’ director Luca Guadagnino’s next movie.
- Andrew Garfield, Cooper Koch and Yura Borisov are also in the cast.
Luca Guadagnino is one of those directors who can always attract solid talent, and often seems to work with rising stars.
For his latest, ‘Artificial’, the filmmaker already has quite the crop either locked down or circling –– Andrew Garfield, Monica Barbaro, Jason SchwartzmanCooper Koch and ‘Anora’ breakout Yura Borisov among them.
Not Yet Rated
Described as a comedy-drama about the period at the artificial intelligence company OpenAI in 2023 that saw CEO Sam Altman fired and rehired in a matter of days…. Read the Plot
The latest to enter talks? ‘Licorice Pizza’s Cooper Hoffman, and ‘The Studio’s Ike Barinholtz.
Related Article: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro Circling Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’
What’s the story of ‘Artificial’?
Andrew Garfield in ‘We Live in Time’. Photo: StudioCanal.
Nothing has been official released yet, but Guadagnino reportedly considered several scripts before landing on Simon Rich’s (‘An American Pickle’) about the wild true story surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
He co-founded OpenAI, but in the fall of 2023, after mounting safety concerns regarding AI, and reports of abusive behavior, was ousted as the head of the company by his board.
Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated in a story reminiscent of the return of Steve Jobs to Apple.
If all goes as planned, Garfield will play Altman, Barbaro will be chief technology officer Mira Murati, and Borisov has the role of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder who led the movement to get rid of Altman.
We don’t yet know who Hoffman or Koch will be, but Barinholtz is in talks to be Elon Musk, who… well, does he really need an introduction these days after the last few months. At least it’s a good casting choice: Barinholtz is good at playing smug weirdos.
Along with Garfield, the new project marks a reunion for Guadagnino and Amazon, having made ‘After the Hunt’ and last year’s sizzling tennis drama ‘Challengers’ for the company.
What else is Luca Guadagnino working on?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
As talked about above, the director had been busy developing ‘Sgt. Rock,’ which adapts the DC Comics character for the big screen. Daniel Craig reportedly considered the lead, but Guadagnino was locking in on Colin Farrell to star.
Yet weather conditions have reportedly stymied the production, and the aim is to have it rolling cameras next year –– though not with Guadagnino aboard.
Beyond that, he has a variety of other potential movies waiting in the wings, including a new adaptation of ‘American Psycho’ and romantic drama ‘Separate Rooms.’
When will ‘Artificial’ be in theaters?
Though ‘Artificial’ is clearly coming together fairly quickly, Amazon MGM Studios has yet to hand out a release date for the movie.
Guadagnino’s latest, the aforementioned ‘After The Hunt,’ which stars Garfield alongside Julia Roberts and Chloë Sevigny, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 17th, signaling a potential awards contender.
Director Luca Guadagnino on the set of ‘Challengers’, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures. © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Other Luca Guadagnino Movies:
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by admin | Aug 1, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
(Left) Steven Knight attends the ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ New York special screening at Paris Theater on October 30, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Netflix. (Right) Daniel Craig in ‘No Time To Die’. Photo: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures.
Preview:
- ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight is the write the next Bond movie.
- Denis Villeneuve is in the director’s chair.
- There’s still no word on a new Bond.
The pieces appear to be quickly falling into place for the new James Bond outing, the first since stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson formally handed creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.
We already know that ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve will be the filmmaker charged with bringing 007 back to screens following the effective slate wipe that was Daniel Craig’s final outing, ‘No Time to Die’.
Now, Deadline reports that Steven Knight, creator of TV drama ‘Peaky Blinders’ and writer of movies including ‘Locke’, ‘Eastern Promises’ and ‘Maria’, has taken the scripting job.
“The mission that changes everything begins…”
Knight is a fascinating choice –– while he has produced some truly great (and occasionally Oscar-nominated) work, he’s also had a few whiffs, such as ‘Serenity’ and ‘Locked Down’. But he is certainly an interesting person to work alongside Villeneuve on Bond.
Related Article: Why Denis Villeneuve Is A Solid Choice To Direct The New Bond Movie
Steven Knight talks the Bond gig
(L to R) Cillian Murphy and Steven Knight are reunited on set as production officially starts on the upcoming Netflix film.
Interviewed on BBC Radio 5 about the new job, Knight had this to say:
“It has always been on my bucket list, and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it — I can’t wait to get started. I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”
He also admitted that he had no idea why producer Amy Pascal wanted to meet him until the big announcement that she and ‘Harry Potter’ veteran David Heyman would be shepherding Amazon MGM’s Bond efforts:
“I very quickly discovered what it was about and became very excited and hopeful. And then the process is…you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you’ve got it. I found out a while ago, but it was announced last night, which is great. It’s a high pressure job, but you’ve just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can.”
Who could play Bond?
(Left) Tom Holland arrives on the red carpet of The 90th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Theo James as Eddie Horniman in ‘The Gentlemen.’ Photo: Kevin Baker/Netflix. Copyright: © 2023, Netflix Inc. (Right) Jacob Elordi arrives on the red carpet of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
That’s the next big question that fans are looking to answer.
We’ve had a wealth of names speculated about since Craig hung up his holster and downed his last martini (and, er –– spoiler alert for ‘No Time to Die’ –– let’s not forget was blown up by a missile).
In that time the likes of Idris Elba, Theo James, Richard Madden, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have all been mooted, with Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson and Jacob Elordi among the current crop of candidates.
Yet the main name in the mix seems to be Aaron Pierre, who has impressed in ‘The Underground Railroad’, ‘Foe’ and particularly ‘Rebel Ridge’ where he proved his action/drama chops.
Pierre will next be seen in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns’.
When will the new Bond movie be on screens?
With Villeneuve currently busy preparing to make the third ‘Dune’ outing (that one is scheduled for December 16th, 2026), we wouldn’t expect to see a new Bond much before 2027 at the earliest.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in 2012’s ‘Skyfall.’
List of James Bond Movies:
Buy James Bond Movies On Amazon
by admin | Aug 1, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
(from left) Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Shark (Craig Robinson) and Snake (Marc Maron) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
‘The Bad Guys 2’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters on August 1st is ‘The Bad Guys 2’, DreamWorks Animation’s sequel to the 2022 original, with Pierre Perifel back directing and JP Sans as co-director for this one.
The returning voice cast includes Sam Rockwell (‘Moon’), Marc Maron (‘The Order’), Craig Robinson (‘This is the End’) and Awkwafina (‘Crazy Rich Asians’) with new recruits including Natasha Lyonne (‘Poker Face’), Danielle Brooks (‘Peacemaker’) and Maria Bakalova (‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’).
Related Article: San Diego Comic-Con 2025: ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Steals Attention at Hall H
Initial Thoughts
(from left) Shark (Craig Robinson), Tarantula (Awkwafina), Snake (Marc Maron), Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) and Piranha (Anthony Ramos) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DreamWorks Animation is not a company to let a successful first movie get away without spawning a franchise. We’ve had swathes of ‘Kung Fu Panda’ outings, various ‘Madagascar’ entries (plus spin-offs) and numerous ‘Shrek’ films –– another is on the way next year.
Of course, then, ‘The Bad Guys’, which managed to delight family audiences in 2022 when the box office was still feeling the lingering ill effects of the pandemic, is back for another go-around.
And fortunately, this one is a largely positive catch-up with some very entertaining characters that has a few flaws here and there, but overall works.
Script and Direction
(from left) Mr. Snake (Marc Maron, Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) and Doom (Natasha Lyonne) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The screenplay for animated movies is always a moveable feast, with ideas dropped in or ripped out at the storyboard and even animatic stage. This movie’s script comes courtesy of Yoni Brenner (a veteran of the ‘Rio’ and ‘Ice Age’ franchises), Etan Cohen (‘Holmes & Watson’), both taking loose inspiration from the ‘Bad Guys’ kids’ books by Aaron Blabey.
We’re re-introduced to our animal crooks with a prologue set during the height of their heisting days for a fun sequence that mashes up the likes of the ‘Fast & the Furious’ films with ‘Mission: Impossible’ as the team steals a priceless car from a billionaire (Omid Djalili).
From there, we head to the present day, where the lifestyle of Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and the rest is far from glamorous –– they’re struggled to make ends meet as they continue their quest to live a legal life. A chance to help track down a new criminal threat is curtailed when they’re blackmailed by a team of even sneakier crooks into pulling off (you guessed it!) one last job.
‘The Bad Guys 2’s story moves along at a decent enough clip, though it does suffer from pacing issues, going from frenetic action moments to long-winded bouts of exposition that are largely carried by the vocal work.
Still, once the true mission of the “Bad Girls” is revealed, things certainly take off.
Directorially, Pierre Perifel and his artists largely keep what worked about the original, with a winning blend of animation styles that calls to mind the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies without directly aping it. When you consider that the first ‘Bad Guys’ shifted how DreamWorks handles the look of (some of) its output, it’s easy to see why they chose to stay in that lane.
Cast and Performances
(from left) Mr. Snake (Marc Maron) and Doom (Natasha Lyonne) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The vocal work on the movie is once again solid, with Rockwell in particular delivering his trademark charm as Mr. Wolf. He pairs well with a returning Zazie Beetz, who is his equal as Diane Foxington, the reformed criminal-turned-governor. The pair shares the most flirtatious animated dynamic since Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’.
Elsewhere, the other “Bad Guys” get a decent amount to do, with Marc Maron’s Mr. Snake handed the best storyline –– his romance that turns out to have a connection to the Bad Girls is always entertaining, and his work opposite Natasha Lyonne as his paramour is great.
Other new arrivals fare perhaps less well; Danielle Brooks is fine as Kitty Kat, the mastermind behind the other criminal crew, while Maria Bakalova is largely left to be support as hench-pig Pigtail (though she’s still good value).
Final Thoughts
(from left) Pigtail (Maria Bakalova), Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks) and Doom (Natasha Lyonne) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
It might not hit the heights of the first movie, but ‘The Bad Guys 2’ is a decent follow-up to that movie, with a fresh new dynamic that largely sidesteps the repetitive pitfalls of sequels.
And while there is comedy competition at the box office, its family target should equal a solid launch.
“Back in badness.”
Showtimes & Tickets
The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by… Read the Plot
What’s the story of ‘The Bad Guys 2’?
Featuring the return of the crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, the now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good.
Yet they instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Bad Guys 2’?
- Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf
- Marc Maron as Mr. Snake
- Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark
- Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula
- Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha
- Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington
- Danielle Brooks as Kitty Kat
- Natasha Lyonne as Doom
- Maria Bakalova as Pigtail
‘The Bad Guys’. © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Selected DreamWorks Animation Movies:
Buy Tickets: ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Movie ShowtimesBuy ‘The Bad Guys’ on Amazon
by admin | Jul 31, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
A scene from 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Preview:
- James Cameron is considering ideas for ‘Avatar’ animated spin-offs.
- He hasn’t developed much yet but has broached the subject with Disney.
- Third movie ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ hits screens on December 19th.
When James Cameron talks –– particularly when it comes to the subject of his multi-billion-dollar ‘Avatar’ franchise –– people listen.
So when Cameron recently talked about the potential for animated spin-offs from the movies (the third one, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is due later this year), it’s news.
In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent… Read the Plot
The filmmaker admitted he wasn’t very far in development with any of the ideas, but is certainly considering different options.
Related Article: James Cameron Says He Has Ideas for Sixth and Seventh ‘Avatar’ Movies
What did James Cameron say about ‘Avatar’ animated ideas?
Director James Cameron at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
Cameron revealed to Empire that he had discussed with 20th Century Studios owners/’Avatar’ backers Disney about the potential for spin-offs:
“ ‘I said, ‘Look, I want to do an animated anthology series that’s essentially in the world, but stories that you wouldn’t have expected from that world. There might even be an animated feature in there – it might be a feature for streaming, or a theatrical feature.”
He also looked for inspiration for other animated extensions of major sci-fi franchises such as ‘The Animatrix’:
“These are all great examples for how we can add texture and baroque detail to the world of ‘Avatar’. The animated stories could deliver backstory on characters and tangential stuff that happened off-camera within the movies. Who first landed on Pandora? The first expedition. You could go anywhere you want.”
Just don’t go expecting to see it in the next couple of years (because, let’s be honest, Cameron has been busy with the movies). Still, he’s certainly coming up with plans:
“We haven’t done much with that yet. We’re still gathering our stories and that sort of thing, and I’ve got to find the boutique filmmakers, the animators, that want to do it.”
Anyone want to work with James Cameron on a spin-off of some of the most famous movies in history? We’re thinking he’ll find one or two willing candidates…
What’s the story of ‘’Avatar: Fire and Ash’?
(L to R) Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri’s (Zoe Saldana) family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang.
The conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.
When will the new ‘Avatar’ movie be in theaters?
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ will be with us on December 19th. Feliz Na’vi-dad!
Varang (Oona Chaplin) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
List of James Cameron Movies:
Buy James Cameron Movies on Amazon
by admin | Jul 31, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
(Left) Mikey Madison accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
Preview:
- Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison are the top choices for ‘The Social Network II”.
- Aaron Sorkin is writing and directing the follow-up.
- It’s not a direct sequel to the 2010 David Fincher Oscar winner, but continues focusing on Facebook.
Around a month ago, we learned that, after fiddling with ideas for a while, Aaron Sorkin had come up with a way to follow up 2010’s ‘The Social Network’, which won three Oscars, including one for Sorkin’s screenplay, and chronicled the difficult birth of Facebook.
Now, with the result widespread (and one of the key players in social media harm), Sorkin is developing ‘The Social Network II’ –– not a direct sequel, but instead something peeling back the layers of Facebook and its parent company Meta.
“You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.”
Showtimes & Tickets
According to Deadline, Sorkin and Sony are confident in the material to begin putting out feelers to actors, with white-hot names Jeremy Allen White (a multiple award winner for ‘The Bear’) and ‘Anora’ Oscar winner Mikey Madison at the top of the list.
No formal offers have been made to either actor, so watch this space to see if they do jump aboard.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that, assuming their deals close, Madison would be Frances Haugen, the data engineer-turned-whistleblower who went to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Wall Street Journal with her information. White would play the former WSJ tech reporter who leads the breaking of the Facebook files.
And that’s not all… Jeremy Strong is also reportedly under consideration, and might end up playing debated Facebook creator (and current boss) Mark Zuckerberg this time around, replacing Jesse Eisenberg.
Related Article: Aaron Sorkin Ready to Write and Direct ‘The Social Network Part II’
What was the story of ‘The Social Network’?
(L to R) Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg in ‘The Social Network’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
The 2010 original, which as mentioned had David Fincher calling the shots, looked at the difficult evolution of Facebook from college ranking system created –– again, there’s debate as the movie suggests –– by Zuckerberg, played there by Eisenberg.
‘The Social Network’ charts Zuckerberg and his system’s rise to ubiquity and the people who ended up suing for their share of the profits, including the Winklevoss twins and old college friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).
A huge hit with audiences and critics, it earned $226 million at the global box office.
What has Aaron Sorkin said about a ‘Social Network’ follow-up?
Jesse Eisenberg in ‘The Social Network’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Talking on a live edition of ‘The Town’ Podcast, Sorkin announced that his concern regarding how Facebook’s system has poisoned politics on the personal and national level led him to start work on a new script, which while not a direct sequel to ‘The Social Network’, would follow up on the low-key fears that were subtextual in the original.
Here’s what Sorkin told hosts Matthew Belloni and Peter Hamby:
“Look, yeah, I’ll be writing about this. I blame Facebook for January 6. Facebook has been, among other things, tuning its algorithm to promote the most divisive material possible. Because that is what will increase engagement. That is what will get you to — what they call inside the hallways of Facebook — ‘the infinite scroll’ … There’s supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isn’t. There’s just growth. If Mark Zuckerberg woke up tomorrow morning and realized there is nothing you can buy for $120 billion that you can’t buy for $119 billion dollars, ‘So how about if I make a little bit less money? I will tune up integrity and tune down growth.’ Yes, you can do that by switching a one to a zero.”
Asked what exactly he’d be focused on, he told the audience that they’d have to buy a movie ticket to find that out.
We do know a little more now, though: Sorkin’s screenplay for the new movie explores the story behind the Wall Street Journal‘s ‘The Facebook Files’, an explosive series of articles published in October 2021 that exposed the inner workings of — and multiple harms caused by — the world’s largest social network.
When will ‘The Social Network II’ be on screens?
Sony has yet to confirm a release date for the new movie.
Aaron Sorkin attends the Academy’s 7th Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
List of Aaron Sorkin Movies and TV Shows:
Buy Aaron Sorkin Movies on Amazon
by admin | Jul 31, 2025 | Moviephone News, News
Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
‘The Naked Gun’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters on August 1st is ‘The Naked Gun’, a sequel to –– and soft reboot of –– the spoof police movies that starred Leslie Nielsen.
With Liam Neeson as his character’s son, another cop whom chaos follows wherever he goes, the new movie is directed by ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’Akiva Schaffer and also stars Paul Walter Hauser (‘I, Tonya’), Pamela Anderson (‘The Last Showgirl’), Danny Huston (‘The Constant Gardener’) and CCH Pounder (‘Avatar’).
Related Article: Liam Neeson is in Talks To Star in New ‘Naked Gun’ Movie
Initial Thoughts
(L to R) Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. and Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
Comedy has been having a tough old time of it on the big screen of late. While veterans such as Adam Sandler has largely moved his output to Netflix or other streamers the genre has generally been seen as too unreliable (and worse, unprofitable) for theatrical release.
Thank goodness, then, for Liam Neeson and his particular set of skills, which in this case include making an absolute fool of himself while playing the role completely straight. And for the creative team behind the new ‘Naked Gun’ movie, who chose to channel, honor yet also meta comment on the film series (and ‘Police Squad’ TV show from where they were spawned) while making something that works.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Director Akiva Schaffer, Liam Neeson and Paul Walter Hauser on the set of ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
Written by Schaffer alongside Dan Gregor (‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’) and Doug Mand (‘How I Met Your Mother’) with acknowledgement to ‘Police Squad’ and original ‘Naked Gun’ creators David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker, the new movies’ screenplay largely follows the template established.
It’s a joke-a-minute formula as Neeson’s character acts like he’s in a normal cop thriller all the while getting so many things wrong.
Meanwhile, there are background jokes piled upon dialogue nonsense and so many running gags (such as Frank and his cop buddies constantly being handed coffee, even while in moving cars) that if you don’t laugh at one thing, another is along to tickle your funny bone before too long.
Being smart while playing dumb is a tough road to ride, and if the new ‘Naked Gun’ sometimes falls afoul of its own ambition, at least the ambition is there.
(L to R) Paul Walter Hauser, Director Akiva Schaffer and Liam Neeson on the set of ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
It doesn’t hurt that Schaffer is fully versed in directing comedy –– from his days as part of the Lonely Island trio on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to the underappreciated likes of ‘Hot Rod’ and ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’, he knows when to dial things up and when to stand back and let a talented cast do their thing.
Also marshalling so much madness going on in each frame when required is not an easy task, and Schaffer and his fellow filmmakers manage it.
There are certainly beats that will be familiar to fans of executive producer Seth MacFarlane’s copious output, but this feels much more like classic ‘Naked Gun’ than anything such as ‘Family Guy’.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Danny Huston plays Richard Cane and Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
Like Leslie Nielsen before him, Liam Neeson has primarily been a dramatic actor (and, in the last couple of decades, an action star). But he’s also proved his comedy chops, working with MacFarlane and elsewhere.
His deadpan, wink-free delivery is a solid substitute for the way Nielsen played Frank Drebin and framing him as the officer’s son makes more sense than having Neeson play a rebooted Drebin himself.
Neeson throws himself into the role (and out a window at one point), and plays well off of everyone around him.
Likewise Pamela Anderson, who understands the assignment and makes for a great femme fatale with a vulnerable side, who is willing to throw herself into as ridiculous a moment as the filmmakers can dream up (witness her jazz-scatting as part of a distraction during one of Drebin’s investigation).
(L to R) Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Pamela Anderson plays Beth Davenport in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
Likewise Danny Huston gives great smarm as the charismatic, conniving Richard Cane, an Elon Musk type with a dastardly plan. Even more than either of the leads, Huston is the straight man to the chaos around him, but late in the movie when he needs to show another side, he’s absolutely up for the challenge.
Paul Walter Hauser, meanwhile, was a great choice for Ed Hocken Jr. (son of George Kennedy’s character from the original movies), as he’s finely-tuned his ability to play it straight and yet also befuddled.
Around them, the likes of CCH Pounder (playing Drebin’s endlessly frustrated boss) and Kevin Durand (as Cane’s security chief who gets his own moment to shine) fill their roles perfectly.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. and Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
If the 2025 ‘The Naked Gun’ was a risk, it was one certainly worth taking. It may not always hit the heights of the ZAZ/Nielsen era, but it certainly comes close and it’s the funniest movie to be released in a long while.
Cleverly riffing on films such as ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’, it’s endlessly funny and wipes away the traumatic memories of the awful spoof era whose nadir was found in ‘Epic Movie’ and ‘Date Movie’.
Pundits gave the new movie a 50/50 chance of succeeding, but there was only a 10% chance of that. And yet, here comes ‘The Naked Gun’ to beat the odds.
“The law’s reach never stretched this far.”
Showtimes & Tickets
Only one man has the particular set of skills…to lead Police Squad and save the world!
Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in… Read the Plot
What’s the story of ‘The Naked Gun’?
Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world!
Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in this new crime caper.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Naked Gun’?
- Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr.
- Pamela Anderson as Beth Davenport
- Paul Walter Hauser as Ed Hocken Jr.
- Danny Huston as Richard Cane
- CCH Pounder as Chief Davis
- Kevin Durand as Sig Gustafson
- Liza Koshy as Detective Barnes
(L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.
Other ‘Naked Gun’ Movies:
Buy Tickets: ‘The Naked Gun’ Movie ShowtimesBuy ‘Naked Gun’ Movies On Amazon
