Liam Neeson To Topline Ruben Fleischer’s Action-Comedy The Revenger

Liam Neeson’s particular set of skills have been exploited ad nauseam across the Taken trilogy – and will soon inspire a spinoff TV series – though Deadline is bringing word that the Northern Irish acting veteran is enlisting for Ruben Fleischer’s action-comedy, The Revenger. Yes, after laying siege to most of mainland Europe, Neeson is ready for a new spin on the action genre.

Working from a script served up by Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant – best known for their work on Night at the Museum –  Fleischer’s film will set up shop at Universal. Granted, there’s little-to-no information to go on for director’s latest venture behind the camera, but considering the irreverent, self-referential tone of Zombieland coupled with the unbridled silliness of the Museum franchise, we’re hoping that Neeson’s take on what we assume will be title character is more comedy than out-and-out action.

After carving out his place among the Hollywood elite for character-driven dramas such as Schindler’s List and Gangs of New York, the actor rebooted his career and revved it in an entirely new direction with Luc Besson’s Taken. It inspired numerous quote-worthy lines and two underwhelming sequels, but more recently we’ve begun to see evidence of Neeson’s comedic chops, with roles in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, The Lego Movie and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Could The Revenger join that category on the star’s burgeoning résumé?

Universal’s latest feature is currently simmering in the early stages of development, though we’ll keep you updated on The Revenger as it begins its trek toward a start date.