Paramount Pictures has unleashed a new poster for the upcoming The Naked Gun legacy sequel, and it’s already stealing the spotlight with its cheeky humor. Set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025, the film stars Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., stepping into the slapstick shoes of his father, the iconic detective played by Leslie Nielsen in the original trilogy. The latest promotional gem, released on June 27, 2025, is a masterclass in meta-humor, poking fun at Hollywood’s AI obsession while staying true to the franchise’s absurd comedic roots.
The poster features Neeson in full action-hero mode, gripping a pistol with an exaggerated eight-fingered hand—a deliberate nod to the early days of AI-generated art, notorious for mangling human anatomy. The tagline, “No AI was used in the making of this poster,” is a sly wink at ongoing industry debates about artificial intelligence in creative fields, especially after the 2024 Hollywood strikes that spotlighted AI concerns. Fans and critics alike have praised the marketing team’s self-aware jab, with the poster going viral across social media platforms like X, racking up nearly seven million views in its first weekend.
This isn’t the first time the Naked Gun reboot’s marketing has leaned into over-the-top gags. Previous posters showcased Neeson doing a split and getting “handsy” with co-star Pamela Anderson, who plays the femme fatale Beth. The campaign’s playful visuals tease a return to the franchise’s signature blend of ridiculous sight gags and deadpan delivery, a formula that made the original films, starting with 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, box office hits grossing over $476 million worldwide.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film continues the story as a legacy sequel to 1994’s Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult. Neeson leads a star-studded cast, including Paul Walter Hauser as Capt. Ed Hocken Jr., Kevin Durand as the villain, and supporting players like CCH Pounder, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, and Danny Huston. The script, penned by Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand, promises a fresh take while honoring the zany spirit of the original trilogy.
Social media reactions have been mixed but lively. Some X users called the AI-mocking poster “horrifyingly brilliant,” while others felt the “extra fingers” joke was a dated dig at 2023’s AI art blunders. One user even reimagined the poster with Neeson’s face and gun replaced entirely by fingers, pushing the absurdity further. Regardless, the buzz has amplified anticipation for the film’s official trailer, which dropped shortly after the poster, and its August release.
With Neeson—known for gritty roles in Taken but no stranger to comedy thanks to cameos in The Lego Movie—embracing full-on slapstick, and a marketing campaign that’s already nailing the franchise’s irreverent tone, The Naked Gun is shaping up to be a potential sleeper hit. Will it live up to the legacy of Leslie Nielsen’s bumbling detective? Fans will find out when it lands in theaters this summer. For now, this AI-free poster has us laughing and ready for more.
