Naked Gun director comments on sequel plans after reboot success

The future of The Naked Gun franchise remains unclear despite the strong success of its recent reboot, according to director Akiva Schaffer. While the Liam Neeson–led comedy has performed well both in theaters and on streaming, Schaffer has indicated that there are currently no active plans for a sequel, citing corporate changes at Paramount Pictures.

In an interview with CBR, Schaffer said the studio’s recent merger with Skydance Media has created uncertainty around follow-up projects. He explained that the ownership transition occurred shortly after the film’s release, leaving the creative team waiting to see whether the new leadership would want to continue the series. “We are not planning another,” Schaffer said, adding that the team is effectively in a holding pattern until a decision is made by the studio.

Released earlier this year, The Naked Gun reboot stars Neeson as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic character from the original films. The movie follows Drebin Jr. as he attempts to save his police department from closure while solving a high-stakes case. Neeson’s understated, deadpan performance was widely praised for matching the franchise’s trademark absurd humor.

Despite Schaffer’s cautious outlook, he suggested that the door is not entirely closed. Screenwriters Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who co-wrote the film with Schaffer, have already brainstormed ideas for potential future installments. Producer Erica Huggins also confirmed that the team has discussed at least one major concept for another film, which Schaffer acknowledged by saying the group has “a few” ideas ready if the opportunity arises.

The reboot has proven to be a commercial and critical success. According to box office figures cited by Collider, the film earned $102.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $42 million. It has also performed strongly on video-on-demand and streaming platforms, frequently appearing on top-10 charts. Critically, the movie holds an 87% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 72% audience rating.

In addition to Neeson, the cast includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and others. For now, fans will have to wait to see whether studio leadership decides to move forward with another installment. The Naked Gun is currently available to stream on Paramount+