David Zucker, creator of comedy classics like Airplane! and The Naked Gun, says Hollywood shafted him over the reboot of his iconic spoof franchise. His original script—a Mission: Impossible parody starring Leslie Nielsen’s son—was praised by Paramount execs but later dumped without explanation. Instead, the studio handed the project to new writers and brought in big names like Liam Neeson, a choice Zucker calls “terrible.”

Zucker insists the new team doesn’t understand the art of spoofing. “They think funny = loud and CGI,” he said, slamming the shift from wacky physical comedy to modern special effects. The original films relied on clever writing and Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan delivery, not tech-driven jokes. “Gimmicks replace heart” in today’s Hollywood, Zucker argues.

The reboot’s tone also angers him. “They’re losing the Police Squad! vibe,” he said, referencing the detective spoof that started it all. He’s not surprised—the same studio once ruined Airplane! with a sequel (Airplane II) that ignored ZAZ (the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team). “Studios care about money, not legacy,” he vented.

Liam Neeson’s casting is a particular grievance. “He’s serious, like a marble statue. This isn’t Taken!” Zucker quipped. He wouldn’t touch Neeson with a 10-foot pole for the role. “Real comedies need actors who embrace the ridiculous,” he explained.

Zucker blames today’s Hollywood for misunderstanding comedy. “They’re scared of looking ‘uncool’ or ‘canceled,’” he said. “ Spo //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////????braska???? LuoSYMPTYDED ?????????????

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David Zucker, creator of comedy classics like Airplane! and The Naked Gun, says Hollywood shafted him over the reboot of his iconic spoof franchise. His original script—a Mission: Impossible parody starring Leslie Nielsen’s son—was praised by Paramount execs but later dumped without explanation. Instead, the studio handed the project to new writers and brought in big names like Liam Neeson, a choice Zucker calls “terrible.”

Zucker insists the new team doesn’t understand the art of spoofing. “They think funny = loud and CGI,” he said, slamming the shift from wacky physical comedy to modern special effects. The original films relied on clever writing and Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan delivery, not tech-driven jokes. “Gimmicks replace heart” in today’s Hollywood, Zucker argues.

The reboot’s tone also angers him. “They’re losing the Police Squad! vibe,” he said, referencing the detective spoof that started it all. He’s not surprised—the same studio once ruined Airplane! with a sequel (Airplane II) that ignored ZAZ (the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team). “Studios care about money, not legacy,” he vented.

Liam Neeson’s casting is a particular grievance. “He’s serious, like a marble statue. This isn’t Taken!” Zucker quipped. He wouldn’t touch Neeson with a 10-foot pole for the role. “Real comedies need actors who embrace the ridiculous,” he explained.

Zucker blames today’s Hollywood for misunderstanding comedy. “They’re scared of looking ‘uncool’ or ‘canceled,’” he said. This fear drains creativity, forcing writers into “safe” jokes instead of bold satire. Zucker’s original scripts, by contrast, fearless lampooned everything from politician speeches to disaster movies.

The reboot’s approach mirrors broader Hollywood trends: nostalgia without wisdom. “They want the Naked Gun name but hate its brains,” Zucker said. Respecting the creator’s vision is rare now. “It’s like remaking Star Wars without George Lucas—and skipping the good parts for robot crying,” he sarcastically observed.

Zucker’s frustration extends to the business side. He doubts Paramount truly believed his script was “too old-school.” “They just want quick cash, even if it’s a stranger wearing Les’ tie,” he said. This short-sightedness explains why reboots often bomb—they ignore what made the original work.

Many fans share Zucker’s anger. They’re tired of studios slapping “classic” names onto soulless revival projects. “If you want real Naked Gun laughs, watch the originals,” Zucker advises. “And if you’re making a reboot, leave the magic to suppliers who actually get it”—like him.