With its plethora of ridiculous humor and a straight-faced portrayal by Liam Neeson, The Naked Gun serves as a remarkable reboot of the beloved Leslie Nielsen series. What was the key to manifesting The Naked Gun’s whimsical absurdity?

The performers believe it lies in absolute seriousness.

“Portraying each scene with a serious demeanor was definitely something I aimed for,” Neeson, who takes on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., shared with Mashable during an interview.

“You must approach it earnestly to achieve humor,” noted Pamela Anderson, who plays the seductive Beth Davenport.

Paul Walter Hauser, portraying Ed Hocken Jr., concurred, emphasizing the need to distinguish the comedic situations of the characters from the genuine feelings they experience.

“I try to disregard the specific dialogue,” Hauser elaborated. “And Liam, if you mute it, he comes across as quite intense, making it appear like an action film. But once you catch what he’s saying, you’ll be doubled over in laughter.”

Catch the complete interview above to learn more from The Naked Gun cast, including how Priscilla Presley, the original star, reached out to Anderson before production, and how Saturday Night Live icon Phil Hartman shaped Hauser’s performance.

The Naked Gun is currently showing in theaters.