Universal
While Liam Neeson may be best known for his tough-guy roles, he’s not one to shy away from comedic opportunities. This was particularly evident in his performance in the 2014 comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” where he played a stone-faced gunslinger, Clinch Leatherwood, on a mission to kill the film’s protagonist, played by Seth MacFarlane. The film’s humor, similar to that in MacFarlane’s “Family Guy,” seemed an unlikely fit for the “Taken” actor, but Neeson was game. Interestingly, it was a previous joke at his expense in “Family Guy” that persuaded him to join the cast, given he could adhere to certain conditions for his character.
Neeson mentioned in a 2014 “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” interview that he had been the butt of a “Family Guy” joke about his suitability (or lack thereof) for the role of an American cowboy due to his Irish accent. He told Fallon, “When Seth asked me to be in the film, I agreed, provided I could use my Irish accent.” Surprisingly, MacFarlane agreed, leading to a partnership that would develop further in the future.
Neeson’s role in A Million Ways to Die in the West led to The Naked Gun
Universal
In a 2014 chat with Movie Viral, MacFarlane expressed his awe at Neeson’s decision to do the film and highlighted how his portrayal of Clinch Leatherwood was akin to a key character in the 1985 comedy classic “The Naked Gun,” which, like “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” is a genre parody. “The Naked Gun,” MacFarlane pointed out, “doesn’t work without Ricardo Montalban playing it completely real, and that’s what Clinch had to do.” MacFarlane further praised Neeson’s impact on the film, stating, “Liam’s presence was vital to the story’s success. He was simply superb and a pleasure to work with.”
Neeson’s work in “A Million Ways to Die in the West” clearly impressed MacFarlane, who is now producing a “The Naked Gun” remake featuring Neeson. The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer, known for directing “Hot Rod” and “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” is set to direct the remake, scheduled for a 2025 release. Neeson, in a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, humorously speculated about the project’s potential impact on his career: “It’ll either end my career or take it in a new direction. I honestly don’t know.” That’s Liam Neeson for you—always ready with a jest.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
