Pamela Anderson is set to don her character’s attire in the highly anticipated The Naked Gun reboot alongside Liam Neeson. Interestingly, she almost made her debut in the iconic franchise over thirty years ago. In an insightful interview with Empire, Anderson shared that she was very close to appearing in The Naked Gun 33 1/3, which highlights the notion that sometimes, good things truly do come to those who wait, even if it takes decades for the opportunity to arise.
In her own words, Anderson recalled, “The part that Anna Nicole [Smith] played, I almost played,” she remarked. “It was just scheduling conflicts that kept me from it. But looking back, I’m grateful; I’d much prefer to take on this role instead.” In the reboot-quel, Anderson’s character is inspired by a classic femme fatale, named Beth. She approaches the Police Squad seeking assistance following the tragic murder of her brother, adding depth and intrigue to the storyline.
On set, Anderson and Neeson quickly formed a delightful connection. “We had an absolute blast together,” she reflected fondly. “I found myself constantly showering him with treats like loaves of bread, cookies, and muffins. There was a charming little bookshop on the set where he stumbled upon a poetry book by Ibsen. He took the time to explain a bit about it to me. For his birthday, I surprised him with a first-edition Hemingway book. He always seems to have a book in hand, just like I do.”
While there is potential for the film to be a hit, David Zucker, co-creator of the franchise, has voiced his discontent, claiming he was “excluded” from the project after he declined to lend his name to it. This controversy adds another layer of interest to the film’s production.
In addition to Neeson and Anderson, the cast of The Naked Gun features notable talents such as Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston, among others. Although Neeson has a background in comedy, he has never taken the lead in a comedic film until now. He shared his reasoning for joining The Naked Gun last year, stating, “It’s amusing because just before Christmas, my sons and I were sifting through the Academy screeners looking for something lighthearted, a silly movie that could make us laugh,” Neeson explained. “Unfortunately, we found none, as they were all quite serious and international in nature. While those films are brilliant, they are also heavy. When Seth MacFarlane approached me about this project—this was about two years ago—I thought, sure, I could do that, provided I play it completely seriously and avoid imitating the legendary Leslie Nielsen. He was phenomenal. Directed by Akiva Schaffer from the Saturday Night Live realm, I’m genuinely looking forward to this. The script is solid, and there are several laugh-out-loud moments.” The Naked Gun is set to hit theaters on August 1st, and anticipation for its release is building.
