Neeson returns to comedy in a strange, funny sci‑fi thriller
Liam Neeson, fresh off his comedic turn as Frank Drebin Jr. in the 2025 Naked Gun reboot, reunites with offbeat material in Cold Storage, a genre‑blending sci‑fi comedy‑horror that opens February 13, 2026. In a wide‑ranging conversation with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Neeson — joined by co‑stars Joe Keery (Stranger Things) and Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) — discussed why they took the project, how director Jonny Campbell shaped its tone, and whether Neeson might ever return for another Naked Gun sequel.
Cold Storage, adapted by screenwriter David Koepp from his own 2019 novel, drops audiences into a night‑shift nightmare: two storage‑facility employees, Travis “Teacake” Meacham (Keery) and Naomi Williams (Campbell), discover a breach that releases a dangerous fungus from a subterranean lab. Former bioterrorism agent Robert Quinn (Neeson) is pulled back into the fray to confront the spreading threat. The film is directed by Jonny Campbell and produced by David Koepp and Gavin Polone; runtime is 99 minutes.
Is there a Naked Gun sequel in Neeson’s future?
One of the first questions Collider put to Neeson was whether he’d consider revisiting Frank Drebin Jr. again. His reply was candid and concise: he has “no idea” and hasn’t been approached. Neeson acknowledged the reboot did “reasonably well financially,” but left the door open without committing — a reply that will please fans hoping Hollywood greenlights another round.
Why this cast signed on: the script and the characters
All three actors returned to the same reason for taking Cold Storage: the script. Neeson said the screenplay’s mixture of genres and, crucially, its human center drew him in. He praised David Koepp’s imagination and ability to fold humor back into the story’s emotional core — and mentioned the chance to work with Lesley Manville as an added draw.
Joe Keery echoed that sentiment, noting that Koepp’s characters come alive on the page with specificity that makes them compelling for actors. Georgina Campbell was equally clear: the script simply felt fun and rewarding, giving them something enjoyable to play.
Balancing horror, humor and genuine human stakes
Cold Storage walks a tonal tightrope between gross‑out horror set pieces and outright comedy. Neeson pointed to the film’s willingness to embrace frailty — his Robert Quinn’s bad back, for instance — as a deliberate choice to keep the characters grounded. “There are so many superhero movies out there,” he said, “but it’s nice to be human.”
Keery and Campbell highlighted how that groundedness helped the film’s emotional beats land amid the chaos. Keery also noted the pacing challenge of telling a story that unfolds across a single evening: the movie feels like a “romp” racing toward a finish, and getting that rhythm right was essential.
Jonny Campbell’s visual inventiveness on a limited budget
Although Cold Storage isn’t a blockbuster production, the cast praised director Jonny Campbell for stretching the film’s budget with creative camera work and VFX. Georgina Campbell singled out a scene involving a cockroach as an effective, economical way to reveal backstory and escalate tension. Keery called Campbell the “unsung hero” for shaping the film’s rhythm — a crucial element that can make or break a thriller that plays out in near real time.
Real‑world inspiration: a NASA fragment and a writer’s imagination
David Koepp’s script was partly inspired by a real incident: in 1979, pieces of a disintegrated NASA craft that fell in the Australian desert were collected and sold by locals. Neeson referenced that event as the kernel of reality that sparked Koepp’s imagination, then expanded into a speculative tale about what happens when something dangerous is buried and forgotten.
The film opens with a cheeky tone‑setting title card that reads “This shit is real,” a line that signals both menace and a wink to the audience about the story’s blend of horror and humor.
Playing vulnerability over invulnerability
Neeson emphasized that choosing characters with vulnerabilities — a bad back, emotional scars, or just plain flaws — is closer to life and more interesting to portray than invincible heroes. He said those small frailties are part of what makes David Koepp’s creations feel human and why the role appealed to him.
Offscreen moments: favorite theaters and Scorsese picks
The cast kept the conversation light at times, trading answers about favorite movie theaters and Martin Scorsese films. Georgina Campbell singled out a nearby AMC for convenience, Keery praised New York’s Village East and its popcorn, and Neeson revealed he lives in a building with an AMC and an IMAX — a convenient location for a frequent moviegoer.
On Scorsese, answers varied: Campbell favored The Departed, Keery mentioned Gangs of New York, and Neeson — drawing on his own film history with the director — cited Raging Bull among his favorites, noting his affinity for boxing stories.
What to expect and where to see it
Cold Storage opens in theaters February 13, 2026. Expect a compact, 99‑minute ride that blends dark comedy with creature film grossness and human drama, anchored by Neeson’s unlikely but committed turn as a not‑quite‑invincible former agent, and energized by Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell’s chemistry and David Koepp’s tonal inventiveness.
Cast (selected)
- Liam Neeson as Robert Quinn
- Joe Keery as Travis “Teacake” Meacham
- Georgina Campbell as Naomi Williams
- Lesley Manville (featured in the film)
Creative team
- Director: Jonny Campbell
- Writer/Screenplay: David Koepp (adapted from his 2019 novel)
- Producers: David Koepp, Gavin Polone
Cold Storage aims to be equal parts gross‑out set pieces, tight pacing, and human story — a small‑scale genre picture that leans into both comedy and genuine stakes. Whether it sparks a new wave of Neeson comedies or simply confirms his range, the film is positioned to be a memorable, mischievous entry in the horror‑comedy canon.