The original director of “The Naked Gun” films has launched fresh criticism against the recently released reboot, arguing that the production fundamentally misunderstands the comedic approach that made the original series successful.
David Zucker, who co-created the iconic spoof comedy style with his brother Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, stated that the new film’s producer “completely missed the mark” in recreating their distinctive humor. “We developed this approach fifty years ago and perfected it to the point where it appears deceptively simple,” Zucker explained. “What might seem like random gags thrown together actually follows a carefully constructed comedic logic.”
Zucker expressed particular concern about the attempt to recast the lead role originally played by Leslie Nielsen, who passed away in 2010. “Some actors are simply irreplaceable,” he noted. “The character and the performer became inseparable, and attempting to substitute another actor misses the point entirely.”
The director also questioned the financial approach to the new production, suggesting that substantial budgets can work against effective comedy. “When you see extensive resources devoted to technical spectacle while trying to replicate our style, it creates a fundamental contradiction,” Zucker observed. He further suggested that financial motivations rather than creative vision appeared to drive the decision to revive the franchise.
This latest criticism marks a shift from Zucker’s earlier, more measured response following the film’s successful theatrical release, when he acknowledged the continued audience appetite for comedy in cinemas. His renewed critique highlights ongoing tensions in Hollywood between honoring original creative visions and pursuing commercial opportunities through franchise revivals.
