Overview
- David Zucker told Woman’s World the Seth MacFarlane–produced update tried to copy his team’s style without understanding it.
- He criticized the reported $42 million spend, saying big budgets undermine comedy and violate his “no technical pizzazz” rule.
- Zucker said Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan legacy cannot be replaced, as Liam Neeson now leads the franchise as Frank Drebin’s son.
- He said Paramount passed on his sequel script, moved ahead without the original team, and he declined an EP credit and an invite to see an early cut.
- The 2025 film, directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by MacFarlane and Erica Huggins, has earned about $102.1 million worldwide and holds an 88% critics score.