Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson are heating up the screen in the upcoming Naked Gun reboot, and apparently, the sparks weren’t just for show.
Set to hit theaters on August 1, the comedy marks the fifth installment in the iconic Naked Gun franchise, this time following Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (played by Liam Neeson) as he steps into his late father’s shoes to save the world, one chaotic crime scene at a time.
The film also stars Busta Rhymes, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, and CCH Pounder. But it’s Neeson chemistry with Pamela Anderson that is getting everyone talking. The steamy scenes are already making headlines, particularly because their on-screen chemistry was reportedly too much for the intimacy coordinator to handle.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Neeson recalled: “I’d never worked with an intimacy coordinator before. She was very professional, quietly in the background. But during one of the scenes, she suddenly said, ‘I can’t take this! This is too hot for me. I’m going for coffee.’ And off she went!”
Despite the over-the-top comedy tone of the film, the bond between Neeson and Anderson seems to be very real. The Baywatch icon described her co-star as the “perfect gentleman,” saying: “He brings out the best in you, with respect, kindness, and depth of experience. It was an absolute honor to work with him.”
Neeson didn’t hold back either, admitting he’s now “madly in love” after working alongside her. Anderson added that their chemistry was instant and mutual: “We definitely have a connection that is very sincere, very loving. He’s a good guy. I think I have a friend forever in Liam.”
The pair even took their “professional romance” off-set, with a little help from their assistants. “I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant,” Anderson shared with Entertainment Weekly. “That way, our relationship stayed professionally romantic during filming.”
Looking ahead to the film’s release, she added, “I’m hoping people love it. We had so much fun making it. I think it’s the perfect time for a comedy like this. I’m a fan of the originals. And as Liam says, ‘We could all use a good giggle.’ I pray we get to do more.”