Liam Neeson gets candid about leading Taken’s action franchise while promoting The Naked Gun. The actor is known for his commanding on-screen presence, starring in films such as Schindler’s List, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Batman Begins. However, Neeson has also shown a more light-hearted side in films like Love Actually alongside various comedy movie cameos.

Recently, Neeson has caused a stir with his latest movie, The Naked Gun, an action comedy serving as a legacy sequel and the fourth film in The Naked Gun franchise. In fact, 2025’s The Naked Gun debuted with a fantastic Rotten Tomatoes score, scoring 90%. However, that hasn’t stopped Neeson from reflecting on his most iconic action movie role.

In a New York Times interview, Neeson looked back on his defining role in Taken, stating, “I was a tiny bit embarrᴀssed. Don’t get me wrong, I did love the script. But I can’t tell you how many voicemails [of the ‘Taken’ speech] I’ve recorded for my sons’ friends.” Taken was released in 2008 and grossed $226 million worldwide.

The action movie was a mᴀssive critical and commercial success, launching the Taken franchise and redefining Neeson as an action star. Therefore, 17 years on, Neeson’s action comedy role in The Naked Gun is interesting, especially considering his legacy, and the actor explains how his action career has an expiry date. Check out the full quote below:

There comes a point where audiences know, and I don’t want to insult an audience by me pretending I’m 50 years of age. I don’t want to do that. I have too much respect for audiences.

What Liam Neeson’s Comment Means

Taken’s Success Was Completely Unexpected

Neeson’s comments about being “embarrᴀssed” by Taken are a little surprising considering just how big the movie was in 2008. However, that is precisely what the actor didn’t want. In the past, Neeson has talked about Taken’s success, stating that, “I remember thinking, “It’s going to go straight to video, it doesn’t matter, it’s just such a simple little story.”

While Neeson said, “It’s nice to be proven wrong,” evidently Taken’s success has weighed on him. His candid reflection on the role that catapulted him into global stardom and enveloped popular culture was certainly unexpected for him. Therefore, it’s understandable that the action thriller was a bit embarrᴀssing, as he was caught unawares, having signed up for “a simple little story.”

Our Take On Liam Neeson’s The Naked Gun

Neeson’s Move To Comedy Is A Great Idea

Neeson’s candid reflections on Taken come at a time when the actor is making his foray into slapstick comedy, showcasing a willingness to challenge himself creatively. While the actor has enjoyed Taken’s success and subsequent action career, his embarrᴀssment has nudged him away from the genre, allowing him to expand his portfolio with a comedy project like The Naked Gun.

Admitting that his action career has an expiry date, a move to comedy is a great idea for Neeson, who has featured in comedy cameos in the past. The Naked Gun producer Seth MacFarlane weighed in on his casting, stating, “We didn’t want Liam Neeson doing a funny character. We wanted Liam Neeson doing what he does so beautifully.”

“He’s treating everything like this is ‘Taken’ or ‘Schindler’s List,’ with the same severity in his voice, facial expressions and body language. That’s when he is at his funniest.”

While it’s hard to imagine someone as serious as Neeson excelling in comedy, co-star Paul Hauser explains that it is exactly what makes him so great. “He’s treating everything like this is ‘Taken’,” Hauser says, “That’s when he is at his funniest.” Considering The Naked Gun’s success, surprisingly, Taken‘s Neeson might be exactly what the future of comedy needs.

Source: New York Times