The N@ked Gun, also known as Police Squad!, is an American crime spoof-comedy franchise. Having started in 1982 with the TV series Police 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 in The N@ked Gun is 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.
A still from The N@ked Gun (1988)
David Zucker on Why O. J. Simpson Was Cast in the Role of Detective Nordberg
O. J. Simpson is 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 in The N@ked Gun.
O. J. Simpson played the role in all three installments of The N@ked Gun trilogy. The movies, namely, The N@ked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, The N@ked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, and N@ked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult, were released in 1988, 1991, and 1994, respectively.
On the occasion of the completion of 35 years of the original The N@ked Gun film, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed 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 in Airplane!, he was the fourth choice because other actors turned down the role, and he was not famous.
Liam Neeson to Star in The N@ked Gun Reboot
Liam Neeson in Schindler’s List
Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with a reboot of The N@ked Gun. The movie will be directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for projects like Hot Rod and Pop Star: Never Stop Stopping with Dan Gregor, Doug Man, and Schaffer working on the script (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Schindler’s List star 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.
News
BIG EXPLOSION at the royal family: Harry revealed he called for this ‘mysterious’ person after receiving a ‘fierce att@ck’ from William: ‘That person promised to help me defeat William and ‘destr*y’ the king Jia, that damn nest!’ K
BIG EXPLOSION at the royal family: Harry revealed he called for this ‘mysterious’ person after receiving a ‘fierce att@ck’ from William: ‘That person promised to help me defeat William and ‘destr*y’ the king Jia, that damn nest!’ Prince Harry has…
SHOCK: Bebe Rexha says she “could destr*y a significant part of the entertainment industry” with what she knows, but she can’t reveal it because of these terrible threats!K
SHOCK: Bebe Rexha says she “could destr*y a significant part of the entertainment industry” with what she knows, but she can’t reveal it because of these terrible threats! Four-time Grammy nominee Bebe Rexha revealed she is ‘fed’ up with the…
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes’ circle of friends is ‘traumatized’ after evidence revealed by Eamonn’s lover Katie: ‘OMG, it turns out Ruth is that DISGUSTING person’ .K
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes’ circle of friends is ‘traumatized’ after evidence revealed by Eamonn’s lover Katie: ‘OMG, it turns out Ruth is that DISGUSTING person’ It’s also causing a rift in the showbiz world with camps forming on both…
SHOCK: Prince Harry’s ‘scam’ to buy the Tillman award, which he needed to continue his visa requirements, was exposed by his own wife, Meghan Markle – Their ‘gala event’ lifestyle surrounded by Hollywood stars is also exposed because it’s dirtier than you think!K
SHOCK: Prince Harry’s ‘scam’ to buy the Tillman award, which he needed to continue his visa requirements, was exposed by his own wife, Meghan Markle – Their ‘gala event’ lifestyle surrounded by Hollywood stars is also exposed because it’s dirtier…
Ruth Langsford REVEALS she is seeking help from friends to expose Eamonn Holmes and his lover, Katie: ‘He dared to let her meet my son alone and give him those DISGUSTING things to watch!’K
Ruth Langsford reveals she is seeking help from friends to expose Eamonn Holmes and his lover, Katie: ‘He dared to let her meet my son alone and give him those DISGUSTING things to watch!’ The couple announced their marriage had…
SHOCK: Tom Cruise was seen with a painful injury on his hand after returning from a visit with his daughter Suri. When asked about it, Tom remained silent, but his sister Marian revealed the shocking truth: ‘Suri is a d3vil!’K
SHOCK: Tom Cruise was seen with a painful injury on his hand after returning from a visit with his daughter Suri. When asked about it, Tom remained silent, but his sister Marian revealed the shocking truth: ‘Suri is a d3vil!’…
End of content
No more pages to load
