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The Independent
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Film fans shocked as OJ Simpson joke is featured in trailer for reboot of hit comedy series
Film fans have been left shocked after an OJ Simpson joke was included in the first teaser trailer for The Naked Gun remake starring Liam Neeson. The revived spoof-comedy franchise will see Neeson play Frank Drebin Jr, the son of the lead character of the first three films and Police Squad TV show from the 1980s and 1990s, famously played by Leslie Nielsen. Simpson became a major Hollywood star following a successful NFL career and played Detective Nordberg in all three of the original Naked Gun films. However, his acting talents have been tainted since 1994 when he was controversially acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The third Naked Gun film, which was released just months before his infamous trial, was the final movie that Simpson made before he died from cancer in 2024. Despite this, his history in the Naked Gun series is acknowledged in the new trailer with a brief visual joke. In the final scene, a row of police officers kneel in front of pictures of their late fathers. While most of the pictures elicit emotional responses from their offspring, a picture of Nordberg does the complete opposite as his son knowingly glances at the camera and shakes his head. Fans were quick to share their reactions to the Simpson gag, with many admitting that it did raise a smile. 'That OJ Simpson joke got me,' wrote one fan. A second added: 'Trailer sold me right here. Classic Naked Gun humour.' 'Was on the fence about this, but OJ's kid looking at the camera and shaking his head was pretty funny,' said a third. Others were more divided on whether the joke worked or not. 'The reveal that the station has a dedicated dad memorial room is much funnier than the OJ bit,' said one person. 'I know it gets said a lot but sincerely: no one asked for this,' added a second critic. According to TMZ, Simpson's lawyer Malcolm LaVergne thought that the joke was 'funny' and 'it's good OJ is acknowledged since he was a star of the franchise'. It comes after a Bible that was gifted to Simpson by his former defence attorney, the late Robert Kardashian, was sold for a hefty price at auction. As the executor of Simpson's estate, LaVergne put the Bible up for auction in March, with Robert's daughter, Kim Kardashian, offering $15,000 for it. However, the offer was turned down, since the item had been under contract with the court to be auctioned off. The Bible - which featured Roberts' full name on the front - was been sold for $65,800, according to Goldin Auctions' website.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Naked Gun' Trailer Teases Liam Neeson in Strawberry-Pink Underwear and an O.J. Simpson Joke
Liam Neeson is carrying on the Naked Gun legacy. The first trailer for the comedy-action reboot debuted on Thursday, April 3, showing Neeson, 72, in the Akiva Schaffer-directed film. "Only one man has the particular set of skills... to lead Police Squad and save the world," reads a logline, nodding to Neeson's past Taken role. The teaser also features a quick joke about O.J. Simpson, the controversial late athlete who starred in the 1988 original, plus the sequels in 1991 and 1994. The movie is based on the Jim Abrahams and David Zucker and Jerry Zucker franchise The Naked Gun that originally starred Leslie Nielsen as self-serious detective Frank Drebin, who managed to fail up through the ranks of the police squad. In the new film, Neeson stars as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., son of Nielsen's character, as he follows in his father's footsteps. The cast includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu and Danny Huston. Related: Pamela Anderson Calls Naked Gun Costar Liam Neeson a 'Gentleman': He 'Sincerely Looked After Me' (Exclusive) Neeson and Anderson previously told PEOPLE how they were impressed with each other's comedic chops. 'With Pamela, first off, I'm madly in love with her. She's just terrific to work with,' Neeson told PEOPLE in October 2024. 'I can't compliment her enough, I'll be honest with you. No huge ego. She just comes in to do the work. She's funny and so easy to work with. She's going to be terrific in the film.' "Whether I can carry it or not, I honestly don't know,' he said. Meanwhile, Anderson disagreed with Neeson's 'humble" sentiments: 'It was hard to keep a straight face in scenes together." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She noted he's 'the perfect gentleman,' adding, 'He brings out the best in you … with respect, kindness and depth of experience. It was an absolute honor to work with him.' Anderson said Neeson 'sincerely looked after me — wrapped his coat around me when I was cold.' She, in turn, baked him bread and cookies and left them for him in his dressing room. The Naked Gun is in theaters Aug. 1. Read the original article on People
