Liam Neeson, the Irish actor who unexpectedly emerged as a bona fide action star later in his career, discussed when he might retire in a new feature with PEOPLE magazine.

Neeson, a native of Co Antrim in Northern Ireland, was speaking with the US publication ahead of the release of his latest thriller "Absolution."

In the new film, Neeson returns as his trademark conflicted gangster. It's the 72-year-old's first film release of 2024 and comes after a busy 2023 when he filmed "In the Land of Saints and Sinners," "Wildcast," and "Retribution."

The hot question for the Irish actor in recent months has been when he might call it quits, especially considering how action-packed his films are.

"I'm 72 - it has to stop at some stage," Neeson told PEOPLE.

The publication noted that Neeson performs most of his own fight scenes, but leaves the intricate stunt work to collaborator Mark Vanselow.

"You can't fool audiences," Neeson admitted. "I don't want Mark to be fighting my fight scenes for me."

According to PEOPLE, Neeson is eyeing an exit sometime in 2025, but hasn't firmly committed: "Maybe the end of next year. I think that's it."

Earlier this year, Neeson claimed that he's not slowing down anytime soon.

"Audiences are innately intelligent and they'll know when you're past your prime in regards to throwing punches and firing guns, but I'm not there yet," he told The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the release of the Irish film "In The Land of Saints and Sinners."

While he's still "throwing punches" on the big screen, Neeson hasn't shied away from embracing some comedy - he's set to feature in the reboot of "Naked Gun."

He told The Hollywood Reporter in March: "It's funny because right before Christmas, my sons and I were looking through the Academy screeners and trying to find something silly, some still, stupid movie that we could giggle at.

"There was none, of course, as they were all very heavy and international. I mean, brilliant movies, but all very heavy.

"When Seth MacFarlane approached me about it -- this was about two years ago, now -- I thought, yeah, I guess I could do that as long as I play it dead seriously and not try and imitate Mr. Leslie Nielsen. He was wonderful.

"Akiva Schaffer is directing it and he's from the [Saturday Night Live] world. I'm looking forward to it.

"It's a good script, and there's a few laugh-out-loud moments in it."

More recently, Neeson was in Jackson, Mississippi this week filming another action movie, "Hotel Tehran," which co-stars Zachary Levi.