The upcoming The Naked Gun remake won’t ignore O.J. Simpson’s legacy, with its writers revealing how they approached the character of Nordberg. In the original trilogy, Simpson played the bumbling detective whose physical comedy became a staple of the films. But, in the decades since, Simpson’s highly publicized trial and controversial reputation posed a major question about what should be done with his character in the reboot.

Starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, the upcoming reboot aims to balance classic slapstick with modern satire, and that includes addressing Nordberg’s character with both care and nerve. The writers revealed that while they didn’t want to dwell on Simpson’s real-life controversies, they knew audiences would expect some acknowledgment.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand admitted the joke was intentionally held back before his pᴀssing in 2024, but now serves as a sharp, albeit brief, commentary. According to the duo, the team wanted to “drag him over the coals” without making it the main topic. Read their full comments below:

Doug Mand: We were like, “Oh, we can’t really give it to him while he is alive, but now that he’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, let’s really drag him over the coals.”

No, look, this was one of the first questions when you tell people like, “We’re doing a Naked Gun.” One of the top three questions was, “How are you dealing with OJ? How are you dealing with Nordberg?”

We knew that it was something we had to deal with. We quickly learned while we were writing it with Akiva that we didn’t want to live in it too long. Obviously, we’re laughing, [but] there’s a significant tragedy behind this man and his legacy, so you don’t want to live in it too long or feel like you’re poking fun at this horrible tragedy.

Dan Gregor: But if Ryan Murphy can win an Emmy for it, we can make [a joke.] yeah.

Doug Mand: We feel like we succeeded where maybe Ryan Murphy could have been a little funnier.

What This Means For The Naked Gun

The Reboot Isn’t Shying Away From Tough Topics

For the writers, the balance was always about acknowledging real-world tragedy without exploiting it. They made a deliberate effort not to lean too hard into mocking or making light of the serious events that transpired. This approach aligns with the tone of the original Naked Gun trilogy, which frequently mixed outrageous humor with real-world references.

However, in 2025, the writers were also aware of how much culture had changed. While The Naked Gun is primarily a slapstick comedy, this reboot shows the creative team isn’t afraid of tackling sensitive subjects. Rather than avoiding controversy, they use it strategically without letting it overwhelm the comedy.

This is important for a franchise like The Naked Gun, which built its reputation on pushing comedic boundaries. By acknowledging Simpson’s legacy, even briefly, it demonstrates that the film won’t ignore the cultural impact of the original films or pretend that history doesn’t exist. It also shows a smart tonal update for today’s more socially aware audience.

Our Take On The Writer’s Comments

A Smart, Respectful Move That Balances Humor & Sensitivity

Addressing Simpson’s character was inevitable, and it seems the writers found a sharp, controlled way to do it. The decision to keep the joke short but effective shows respect for Simpson’s victims, while still delivering the kind of bold comedy The Naked Gun is famous for.

If this is any indication of the film’s overall tone, The Naked Gun reboot might successfully combine old-school humor and modern audiences. With Neeson taking the lead and seasoned comedy writers behind the script, the film could strike the balance needed to revive the franchise.