Busta Rhymes Returns To Acting With Role In “Naked Gun” Reboot

Busta Rhymes has presence. It was evident from his breakout performance on the Tribe Called Quest posse cut, “Scenario.” It was heightened by the memorable music videos the rapper put out in the mid 1990s, and it culminated with him making the leap to the big screen around the same time. Busta turned in impressive performances in films like Higher Learning and Shaft, which is what makes his return to the big screen such an exciting prospect.

Busta Rhymes has been cast in the upcoming remake of the 1988 comedy classic The Naked Gun. His role has not yet been disclosed, but he will be acting alongside a star-studded cast of veterans. Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser have already signed on to headline the remake alongside character actors CCH Pounder and Danny Huston.

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Busta Rhymes Hasn’t Acted In A Film Since 2016

Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes during Premiere of Dimensions Films Halloween Resurrection in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

The Naked Gun will mark Busta’s first film in nearly a decade. The last time he was seen onscreen was 2016’s King of the Dancehall, which was a musical drama directed by Nick Cannon. Since then, Busta has been relegated to talk show appearances and one-off cameos playing himself in shows like Master of None and Fresh Off the Boat. The rapper discussed the enjoyment he gets from acting during a 2000 interview with The Oklahoman.

“Acting is a lot less wear and tear,” he noted. “You get the chance to bounce around and be a thousand different people without it being a problem. With music, most of the time the market and the consumer is stubborn. They don’t want you to change too dramatically from what they know and love you for. You’ve got to feed them very carefully new or different things so that they can appreciate and adjust gradually.”

The actor also noted that working with stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Sean Connery helped to hone his craft. “Not only do you respect your elders but you respect those you learn from,” he explained. “I’m there to learn. I ain’t getting opportunities to be around Sean Connerys all my life.” The Naked Gun is set for release on July 18, 2025.

Read More: Busta Rhymes Tells Diddy That Coi Leray Is Off-Limits In Resurfaced Clip

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Liam Neeson Net Worth 2024: What Is The Actor Worth?

Liam Neeson, an actor whose career spans across a vast spectrum of roles and genres, stands as a towering figure in the film industry. With a career that has seen him transition from stage actor in Ireland to Hollywood leading man, Neeson’s versatility and depth of performance have made him a beloved figure worldwide. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at a staggering $145 million, according to Equity Atlas, a testament to his enduring success and the significant impact he has made in cinema. Neeson’s ability to imbue his characters with intensity, vulnerability, and gravitas has not only earned him critical acclaim but also a place among the most respected actors of his generation.

From Stage To Screen: The Evolution Of Liam Neeson

liam neeson
Samuel L. Jackson, Chewbacca and Liam Neeson during “Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge Of The Sith.” New York City Benefit Premiere – Inside Arrivals at. Ziegfeld Theater also in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Gregory Pace/FilmMagic)

Liam Neeson’s journey in the performing arts began on the stages of Ireland, where his natural talent quickly became apparent. His transition to film was marked by a series of performances that showcased his range, from historical dramas to action thrillers. However, it was his role in Schindler’s List that marked a turning point in his career, earning him an Academy Award nomination and establishing him as a leading actor in Hollywood. This role demonstrated Neeson’s ability to tackle complex characters and emotionally charged narratives, setting the stage for a career filled with memorable and impactful performances.

A Diverse Portfolio: Iconic Roles & Box Office Success

liam neeson
Actor Liam Neeson on the set of the thriller ‘Under Suspicion’, 1991. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

Neeson’s filmography is notable for its diversity. He has taken on roles in action-packed blockbusters like the Taken series, where he played the unforgettable Bryan Mills, a role that redefined his career and introduced him to a new generation of fans. His performances in The Grey, Love Actually, and Gangs of New York further illustrate his versatility as an actor. Neeson’s ability to seamlessly transition between genres has not only endeared him to audiences worldwide but also contributed significantly to his financial success, with his films grossing billions of dollars at the box office.

Beyond The Camera: Philanthropy & Influence

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SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Actor Liam Neeson attends “Marlowe” premiere during. 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal, San Sebastian on. September 24, 2022 also in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Moreover, Liam Neeson’s influence extends beyond his cinematic achievements. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts and advocacy. Neeson has various causes and using his platform to raise awareness and funds for charitable organizations. His contributions to the arts and his commitment to social issues also reflect the depth of his character and his dedication to making a difference in the world. Neeson’s standing in the industry, coupled with his philanthropic endeavors, underscores the breadth of his impact, both as an actor and as a humanitarian.

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Donald Glover Says Jordan Peele Convinced Liam Neeson To Appear In “Atlanta”

Atlanta got progressively weirder as the series progressed. It certainly isn’t a bad thing but it also created some polarizing moments. There was Kevin Samuels’ posthumous appearance that led to a significant backlash, though Donald Glover’s brother and show co-creator, Stephen Glover, said that they weren’t aware of his controversial takes. However, it felt a bit hard to believe that statement after Liam Neeson’s appearance in, “New Jazz.” During the episode, he apologized for the racist 2019 comments he made as a fictionalized version of himself.

The scene nearly didn’t go down, according to Donald Glover. “When I got in touch with him, Liam poured his heart out,” Glover told GQ. “He was like, ‘I am embarrassed. I don’t know about this. I’m trying to get away from that.’ And I was like, ‘Man, I’m telling you, this will be funny! And you’ll actually get a lot of cream from it because it’ll show you’re sorry’…So, he asked me to let him think about it. Then he sent me an email saying, ‘I don’t think I can do it and best of luck with Atlanta, blah-blah-blah.’”

Jordan Peele Helps Secure Liam Neeson Cameo

Glover recalled Neeson saying that he spoke to Morgan Freeman, Spike Lee, and Jordan Peele after the incident. “I hit Jordan Peele up and I was like, Look, man, I got this idea. He said that he trusted you. Tell him it’s a good idea!…Jordan thought it was hilarious! So Jordan talked to him. Liam hit me back and said he talked to Jordan and his son and thought it’d actually be a good thing,” Glover recalled.

However, Donald Glover didn’t inform Peele that the Gangs Of New York actor agreed to appear in Atlanta. Ultimately, the Get Out director believed that Glover pranked him into forgiving Neeson. “But what was so funny is, like, I forgot to hit Jordan back,” Glover continued. I was so excited about Liam doing it. So Jordan hit a friend of mine, and was like, ‘Am I on a prank show where Donald got me to forgive Liam Neeson? Was this a joke…on me?’”

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Liam Neeson Rejected James Bond Role Because Of His Wife

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Liam Neeson revealed that producer Barbara Broccoli reached out to him numerous times in the 1990s. Apparently, she wanted to know if he was interested in playing the role of 007. That’s right, Liam Neeson was almost James Bond. Neeson had recently been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for Schindler’s List. Many were surprised to find out that Neeson turned down the opportunity to play such an iconic action star. However, for him, the final decision came down to his wife, Natasha Richardson.

When asked about the role of 007, Neeson said “I know the Broccolis. They looked at a bunch of actors. ‘Schindler’s List’ had come out and Barbara [Broccoli] had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested.’ And then my lovely wife [Natasha Richardson], God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting ‘Nell’ down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’”

Liam Neeson And His Wife

Actor Liam Neeson attends “Marlowe” premiere during 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal, San Sebastian on September 24, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Neeson added that “She gave me a James Bond ultimatum. And she meant it! Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!” Apparently, Neeson’s love for Richardson was stronger than his desire to play the iconic action star. Therefore, he never had a serious meeting with Broccoli. However, Neeson loved to tease Broccoli about the situation. He would do so by “going behind her back, making my fingers as though I’m holding a gun, and [humming the James Bond theme].” He said he “loved doing that shit!”

Thankfully, Neeson got a second chance at further stardom with the Taken movie franchise. He was also in the Star Wars franchise as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. However, that is not a franchise he is interested in returning to. He recently said on Watch What Happens Live! that he wouldn’t return. “There’s so many spinoffs of ‘Star Wars.’” he said. “It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way.” Watch Neeson’s most recent performance in the film Marlowe now playing in theaters.

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Liam Neeson Reveals Why “Star Wars” Has Lost Its Allure

One of the most common interview questions asked of Liam Neeson is if he would ever return to his role as Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn. Fans are used to his response of “no.” This trend continued when Neeson joined the likes of Paul Rudd on the February 16 episode of Watch What Happens Live! However, in the episode, Neeson elaborated on why he feels the way that he does. He said that the Star Wars franchise is hurting the magic that it holds. When asked if he was returning, Neeson said, “No, I’m not. There’s so many spinoffs of ‘Star Wars.’ It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way.”

Liam Neeson did make a brief appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi, the series on Disney+. However, he only had roughly two lines of dialogue. He made his debut in the Star Wars universe in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in 1999. However, his character died, and his time in Star Wars ended. While Neeson would not return for a spin-off, he told ComicBook.com last year that he would reprise the character under one condition: his returning appearance would need to be in a movie, not a television show.

Neeson On “Watch What Happens Live!”

Back then, he said about a Star Wars return: “Oh, I think so, yeah, yeah, yeah, I think so…if it was a film. Yeah, I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to TV, I must admit. I just like the big screen, you know? Qui-Gon, I can’t believe it’s 24 years since we made The Phantom Menace, I just cannot believe where the time has gone. It was a terrific experience, shooting that film in London.”

Neeson’s statement about Star Wars spin-off quantity is accurate. As far as movies go, Lucasfilm has released Rogue One and Solo outside of its main Skywalker storyline. Furthermore, Star Wars has continued to expand its universe on Disney+ with television shows. The network has premiered The Mandalorian, The Book of Bobo Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the past. In continuation, upcoming series releases include season 3 of The Mandalorian, which launches on March 1, 2023. Plus, Ashoka and The Acolyte are premiering on the network

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