Liam Neeson is preparing to step back from action films, signaling that his long career in the genre may soon come to an end.
Neeson, 72, recently shared that he is contemplating retiring from action roles in 2025. “Maybe the end of next year. I think that’s it,” the Taken star told in an interview published Wednesday.
The actor will appear in the action film Absolution next month, and though director Hans Petter Moland said Neeson kept up well during filming, Neeson himself is taking a realistic approach.
“I’m 72—it has to stop at some stage,” he said, explaining that he occasionally leaves some stunts to his double, Mark Vanselow. “You can’t fool audiences. I don’t want Mark to be doing my fight scenes for me.”
Next year is set to be a busy one for Neeson, who is also expected to star in the thriller Cold Storage.
Additionally, Neeson will co-star with Pamela Anderson as they reboot the Naked Gun franchise.
The Baywatch actress, 56, will play Neeson’s love interest in the comedy series reboot originally led by Leslie Nielsen, as confirmed by Anderson’s representative earlier this year. Paramount Pictures has scheduled the film for a July 2025 release.
The Naked Gun series, based on the TV show Police Squad!, starred Nielsen as the bumbling lieutenant Frank Drebin, with Priscilla Presley playing his love interest in all three films.
Neeson expressed admiration for Anderson, saying, “I’m madly in love with her. I can’t compliment her enough. She’s funny,” he told.
However, Neeson also reflected on dating, explaining that he’s “past all that” since the passing of his wife, Natasha Richardson.
The Schindler’s List actor was married to The Parent Trap actress from 1994 until her tragic death at age 45 in 2009. Neeson had also previously dated Barbra Streisand and Helen Mirren.
