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The Naked Gun, also known asPolice Squad!, is an American crime spoof-comedy franchise. Having started in 1982 with the TV seriesPolice Squad!aired on the ABC Network, the franchise includes one TV series and three movies, adapted from an original story written by the comedy filmmaking trio Jim Abrahams, and brothers David and Jerry Zucker.
The lead role of Detective Sergeant Franklin ‘Frank’ Drebin inThe Naked Gunis played by the late actor Leslie Nielsen. Several other characters appear in the films. One of them is Detective Fred Nordberg, who is portrayed by O. J. Simpson. Recently, creator David Zucker revealed why he had Simpson play the role of Nordberg.
David Zucker on Why O. J. Simpson Was Cast in the Role of Detective Nordberg
O. J. Simpsonis a former football running back who played in the NFL for 11 seasons. He played for the Buffalo Bills and is considered to be one of the best running backs known to date. He pursued an acting career when he retired with the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. Although his success as a footballer and actor is overshadowed due to his legal troubles, he is well-known for his portrayal of Detective Nordberg inThe Naked Gun.
O. J. Simpson played the role in all three installments ofThe Naked Guntrilogy. The movies, namely,The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!,The Naked Gun 2½:The Smell of Fear,andNaked Gun33+1⁄3: The Final Insult,were released in 1988, 1991, and 1994, respectively.
“I nearly got fired”: Salma Hayek Was Blindsided After Being Asked To Get Fully Naked In $58M Movie That Wasn’t Originally In The Script
On the occasion of the completion of 35 years of the originalThe Naked Gunfilm,The Hollywood Reporterinterviewed director David Zucker and co-writer Pat Proft, who had worked on the script with Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams.
When asked what made O. J. Simpson right for the role of Nordberg, Zucker said:
“We always cast people in our movies precisely because they had not been in a comedy… As a person, he was a very nice guy, a great actor, a prankster, kind of a closet anarchist.”
Zucker also said that when they cast Leslie Nielsen as the main protagonist inAirplane!, he was the fourth choice because other actors turned down the role, and he was not famous.
“Men who want to see naked women will walk out”: Michael Caine Confessed Killing His Own Movie That Was Later Remade Starring Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg 34 Years Later
Liam Neeson to Star inThe Naked GunReboot
Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with a reboot ofThe Naked Gun.The movie will be directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for projects likeHot RodandPop Star: Never Stop Stoppingwith Dan Gregor, Doug Man, and Schaffer working on the script (viaThe Hollywood Reporter).
“He’s not a giant”: Before Naked Gun Reboot, Liam Neeson Lost a Crucial Role in The Princess Bride to a Wrestler With Zero Acting Experience
Schindler’s Liststar Liam Neeson is going to star as the lead character of Detective Frank Drebin. The actor is taking over the role after the unfortunate demise of Leslie Nielsen in 2010 at the age of 84. The fourth installment is set for release in 2025.
Ankita Shaw
Content Writer
Articles Published :263
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