Actor Liam Neeson’s Taken series is known for its high-octane and suspenseful approach to handling international kidnappers. However, the first two chapters of what has now become a trilogy are not known for portraying Europe in a very positive light.
According to his recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Neeson said some of his U.S. fans have taken notice and have written him to tell of their reluctance to travel to the continent.
“Just the other day I got a letter from a school teacher in Texas who had tried to take 60 students to Europe and the families of 40 of them got the kids out of it because they had seen Taken 2,” the actor said.
“And then this year she wanted to take 20 of them and the parents all said, ‘No, because we’ve seen that movie!” he added.
Neeson also told the British-based talk show that he was apprehensive about starring in a third Taken film over fears the story might “insult” the audience.
“I said the second one wouldn’t happen and I said I wouldn’t do a third one if someone got taken. It’s insulting to an audience as well as me. It’s a good storyline and I’m the hunted instead of the hunter,” he said.
The franchise’s third film will instead portray Neeson’s character as an innocent man accused of a murder he did not commit.
Taken 3 is scheduled to debut in theaters on Jan. 9.