Liam Neeson takes new comedy direction as he is ‘set to star in The Naked Gun reboot’

Liam Neeson is taking his movie career in a new direction as he is set to join the reboot to comedy classic The Naked Gun, according to reports.

The Taken star, 70, is reportedly starring in the remake of the film, which was released back in 1988, as the franchise has been given the green light to begin production.

Leslie Nielson played his most famous role as detective Frank Drebin in the comedy film, which went on to spawn a handful of popular movies and a television series.

A reboot of The Naked Gun franchise has been in talks ever since Nielson died in 2010 aged 84, and now it seems it is finally happening, with Neeson included in the project, surprisingly.

Deadline has reported that Neeson will play Detective Drebin’s son in the reboot, led by Paramount Pictures, which will be directed by Lonely Island musician and filmmaker Akiva Schaffer.

The outlet reports that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will produce with Erica Huggins via their Fuzzy Door Company, and writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand will pen the script.

This is quite the change in roles fans are used to seeing from Neeson, who has made a name for himself as an action star.

Neeson became friends with MacFarlane after starring opposite him in Family Guy and Ted 2 and, judging by reports, clearly trusts the success of the reboot in the hands of the producer.

This report comes after Neeson spoke in April about the possibility of him returning to his role as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars, which he played back in 1999.

When asked whether or not he would do it, Neeson told ComicBook.com: “I think so, yeah, I think so.

“If it was a film! Yeah, I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to TV, I must admit. I just like the big screen, you know?”

He added: “I just cannot believe where the time has gone. It was a terrific experience, shooting that film in London.”