Film director of 'The Naked Gun' discloses motivation behind O.J. Simpson joke inclusion
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Akiva Schaffer, the writer and director of the recent reboot of The Naked Gun, discussed his decision to include a single joke about O.J. Simpson in the film.
Schaffer, who had written the entire reboot, acknowledged the elephant in the room regarding Simpson's past but made it clear that he did not take glee in it. The writers wanted to balance satire and sensitivity, choosing to lightly "drag him over the coals" without dwelling on Simpson's real-life controversies, especially given his recent death in 2024.
The sole O.J. Simpson joke appears in the film’s trailer and involves a framed portrait of Simpson's character Nordberg, followed by Nordberg’s son shaking his head in disapproval. This joke was well-known from marketing materials and trailers, so during the first test screening, it elicited almost no laughter because audiences had already seen it multiple times beforehand.
Despite the joke's diminished impact in preview screenings, it was praised as "fantastic." Schaffer had initially written more jokes involving O.J. Simpson, but he and the writers decided not to write additional ones, feeling that the single joke sufficiently addressed the "elephant in the room" of Simpson's controversial legacy.
When Schaffer shared his idea of writing a Naked Gun reboot with friends, they expressed concerns about O.J. Simpson's involvement. Schaffer had to address these concerns and ensure that the reboot was respectful of everything that revolves around Simpson. The reboot acknowledges O.J. Simpson's past in a way that is not seen as dancing on anyone's misfortunes.
One joke that was well-received during the first test screening was the one about Nordberg's fatherhood. However, Schaffer did not write other jokes to match the success of this joke. The reboot of The Naked Gun was released in cinemas on August 1, 2025.
It is worth noting that O.J. Simpson played the role of Nordberg in the first three Naked Gun movies. Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement in the reboot, Schaffer managed to create a film that balances humour and sensitivity, addressing the elephant in the room while respecting the feelings of those affected by Simpson's past.
The reboot of The Naked Gun, featuring Akiva Schaffer's direction, falls under the category of both 'movies-and-tv' and 'entertainment', as it subtly incorporates humor while acknowledging sensitive topics relevant to O.J. Simpson's controversies.
Schaffer's careful approach in handling Simpson's past, ensuring the reboot remains a balance of humor and sensitivity, makes it an intriguing piece within the realm of 'entertainment' whilst maintaining a level of respect and awareness towards 'movies-and-tv' history.
