Director Reveals “Naked Gun” Reboot Drama
The late Leslie Nielsen would likely appreciate this. Director Akiva Schaffer shared that he had to “threaten” a reboot of “Naked Gun” just to preserve certain scenes that various writers wanted to cut.
During an episode of the “Filmmaker’s Toolkit” Podcast, Schaffer explained that there was quite a divide among those reading the script. He referenced Andy Sandberg, saying, “When he read it for me, he remarked, ‘The snowman is the best. Don’t let it get cut.'” Clearly, the snowman was a standout feature.
Schaffer said he felt compelled to take a stand at one point. There’s a montage in question where Frank Drebin Jr. (played by Liam Neeson) and Beth (Pamela Anderson) enjoy a brief vacation in a snowy cabin. After bringing a snowman to life using a magical book, chaos ensues.
Working alongside Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, Schaffer acknowledged that he trimmed some parts of this montage, not wanting it removed entirely. Ultimately, this sequence ended up being a pivotal moment in the film.
“After the first test screening, it became the first scene,” Schaffer recounted. He mentioned how those who initially doubted it were later eating their words.
Interestingly, Schaffer also pointed out that Leslie Nielsen had included a snowman montage in his original “Naked Gun,” which debuted in 1988. That version featured Nielsen and Priscilla Presley in an eccentric scene together.
The reboot’s creative team felt that the love story deserved a montage as well. Schaffer noted the previous film’s iconic music backdrop during montages but wanted to create something fresh this time around. He even recalled a moment when inspiration struck while using the restroom and he quickly jotted down ideas.
Pamela Anderson shared her enthusiasm about filming this particular scene with Neeson. She reflected on how, at one point, the cast questioned, “What is this?” But she felt Schaffer’s vision made complete sense.
Anderson humorously commented on the intricacies involved with working alongside a character in a costume, emphasizing that there are specific protocols for interacting with them. She described it as both complicated and somewhat robotic.
