Liam Neeson’s latest role has fans talking for all the wrong — and hilariously right — reasons. A single moment from the new trailer has social media in a frenzy.

Liam Neeson is suiting up— well, sort of — for the latest installment of the slapstick comedy franchise “The Naked Gun.” At 72, the veteran action star is taking a comedic detour into a world once ruled by the late, great Leslie Nielsen.

Known for its absurdist gags, deadpan delivery, and total disregard for logic, the “Naked Gun” series has long been a benchmark in parody cinema.

The original trilogy, which kicked off in 1988 with “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!,” followed bumbling detective Frank Drebin, played by Leslie, as he blundered his way through police cases with all the seriousness of a Shakespearean actor lost in a circus.

The films became cult classics, following the release of the second installment, “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear,” in 1991, and the third film, “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult,” in 1994.

Now, more than three decades later, Liam is stepping into Drebin’s oversized shoes in a reboot directed by Akiva Schaffer. Co-starring Pamela Anderson, the film has officially been moved from its original July 18 release date to August 1, 2025.

But even before the reboot received the greenlight, Liam had already begun preparing behind the scenes. In an earlier interview, the actor revealed that he was doing some “light research” by rewatching the original films.

“It did make me look at the Leslie Nielsen films again, which were hilarious,” he said. “From ‘Airplane!’ on…he was incredibly funny.”

The fact that the action star was already studying Leslie’s timing and tone — before cameras were even rolling — hinted at how seriously he was taking the opportunity to carry the franchise forward.

However, once the film was greenlit and the trailer dropped online, reactions came in fast. The tone was pure “Naked Gun” — exaggerated, over-the-top, and completely ridiculous. But it was a single image from the trailer that really set social media ablaze.

In the still, Liam stands confidently with one foot propped up, wearing a buttoned maroon cardigan over a loosely tied dress shirt and black tie, a plaid kilt hiked to reveal strawberry-print briefs, and a deadpan expression that somehow makes the chaos even funnier.

Reactions ranged from stunned to hysterical. “I didn’t need to see that! Yikes!” one person wrote, while another commented, “Liam, this is not a good look for you!”

Others chimed in with comments like “Please hide that first picture,” and remarks such as, “Sorry, it’s a no for me.” One particularly baffled viewer typed, “😮OH…that’s just wrong!! Strawberries?! Ha 🤣🤣 👀,” capturing the mix of shock and laughter the image inspired.

Not everyone was horrified, though. Some found humor in the absurdity, noting that Liam, like Leslie before him, has a natural ability to look painfully serious while doing something utterly foolish.

A few commenters pointed out that this deadpan quality makes him a surprisingly good fit for the role — his stoic expression amplifying the ridiculousness around him. That same comedic contrast is exactly what helped Leslie define Drebin in the first place.

Off-screen, the actor’s personal life has also been drawing attention. As he embraces this new chapter in his career, he’s been spending more time with his family — and a rare 2023 photo shared by his son gave fans another glimpse of his evolving look.

Liam and his sons spend a lot of time together, and Daniel’s girlfriend, Natalie, often joins in the fun, too. On February 27, Daniel posted a photo of himself, his girlfriend, his famous father, and ice hockey player Henrik Lundqvist on Instagram.

The foursome linked arms and smiled at the camera as Liam appeared with messy hair and glasses on. He wore an all-black ensemble, while Daniel and Natalie wore more colorful outfits.

Natalie also posted a photo of the match they went to on her Instagram story. When social media users saw Daniel’s family picture, many flooded the Instagram comment section, with some praising Liam and others pointing out his gray hair.

“Just saw this. You are all super gorgeous but the blond (gray???) daddy with the cool retro eyeglasses and tea thermos is something else! 🔥” swooned a fan. Another gushed, “Oh my God…Liam ❤️ ti amo.”

“Liam looks tired and skinny. Just saying,” expressed a Facebooker, juxtaposing the praise others gave. Diverting the focus to Liam’s hair, someone else added, “What grey hair? [He] dyes it I think,” while another person noted, “Maybe it’s windy inside the stadium. Lol.”

Other fans who had seen the photo when Daniel had first posted it on Instagram expressed how great Liam and his loved ones were looking and that they were glad the family got to spend some time together. One fan even thanked Daniel for sharing the photo.

Another cohort of admirers commented on Liam Neeson’s appearance, saying he looked good despite his messy hair. Additional followers simply said they were a beautiful family and wished them health and happiness.