In 1984,Eddie Murphyhelped launch the action comedy as Axel Foley, theBeverly Hills Copwho could hold his own in gunfights, explosions, and car chases while effortlessly splitting your sides. It was a very particular formula he perfected that inspired films likeLethal Weapon,Running Scared, and more. After his third turn as Foley, it took 30 years for “everything to [fall] together,” and for the right story to emerge that would indicate to the legendary comedian it was time to return inBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
Not long afterJerry Bruckheimersigned on, things began to take shape. Up until that point, Murphy tells Collider’sSteve Weintraub, he now knows how to spot problems with production before the process even begins. What brought Murphy back to the franchise wasn’t necessarily getting to reunite withJohn AhstonandJudge Reinholdor welcome new faces likeJoseph Gordon-LevittandKevin Bacon, but the return to a character-driven plot with a story about Foley’s estranged daughter, Jane, played byTaylour Paige.
During this interview, Murphy discusses his return to this beloved character, but he also talks about a return to his comedic roots and whether stand-up is written in the stars for him again. He shares his hopes for future projects like a stand-up we’ve never seen before and his documentary that’s been in limbo for five years. Murphy also reveals the bigShrek 5news, where he’s at in recording for the DreamWorks Animation franchise, and a bright future for Donkey.
You can watch the full conversation in the video above or read the transcript below.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s life’s threatened. Includes old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy.
Eddie Murphy’s Daughter Convinced Him to Return to ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (Sort Of)
COLLIDER: I really want to say congratulations on this movie. You guys didn’t fuck it up.
EDDIE MURPHY: Thank you. Amen.
You don’t know when you go in.
MURPHY: Absolutely. Actually, I know now if you don’t have it on paper, it could be a problem going down the line.
One of the things you’ve told me in the past is how you enjoy sitting on your couch, being with your family, and just chilling out. How did you finally say yes toBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F? I know they’ve been talking about doing it for a while. What was it that finally said, “Oh, I’ll do this?”
MURPHY: The script came together. We had developed at least eight scripts over the years and nothing was right. They just kept staying on it. We got Jerry Bruckheimer back involved, and then it came together.What happened in the script was when they wrote that Axel and his daughter are estranged.The movie, on the surface, is cops and robbers, but the real movie is about Axel’s being estranged from his daughter and reconciling with his daughter. Once we added that to it, everything just fell together.
If Eddie Murphy Hits the Stage Again, He Isn’t Just Doing Stand-Up
The last time I spoke to you, you talked about the documentary that you’re working on. What’s the status?
MURPHY: You know, I’m the same way. I’m always asking, and they say, “Very soon.” We started working on this thing before I hostedSaturday Night Live, right? So, how long have they been doing it? Five years or something. Easily. I don’t know. I’ll be like, “Hey, where is that?” They’ll be like, “Oh, yeah, we’re doing a little tweakin’.” I’m like, “Really? For five years? Goddamn!” [Laughs]
Something you told me in the past was that you were gonna do some more stand-up and that maybe the doc would tie into the stand-up.
MURPHY: Exactly. This started before the pandemic and all that stuff, we started doing this documentary. Right before the pandemic, I was thinking about doing stand-up again, and then the pandemic hit, and the world changed and shut down for two years. In those two years, I developed a bunch of movie stuff. So when the pandemic ended, I went off and didComing 2 Americaand went off and did all this different stuff.
Now, I don’t know if I will ever just go by myself on the stage and do stand-up. Now, when I think about doing a live show, I thinkif I’m gonna get on the stage again, I wanna do everything— I wanna do music, I wanna tell some stories, and I wanna do some stand-up and have more of a Broadway show, as opposed to just me coming out and getting on the mic and going, “What is wrong with Donald Trump?” [Laughs] I want to do something else.
Eddie Murphy Shares His First Encounter With Comedy Legend Rodney Dangerfield
“I was crestfallen. My mind was blown. And I was like, ‘Rodney didn’t like me.'”
I actually think I would love to see you on stage telling stories because the last time I spoke to you, I was wearing a Rodney Dangerfield shirt and you told a great story about Rodney. I know you’re loaded with amazing stories.
MURPHY: I havegreatstories. I have great stories about so many stars. [Laughs]
That’s what I mean.
It’s Official, ‘Shrek’s Donkey Is Getting His Own Movie
One other thing before I run out of time. Recently,Kung Fu Panda 4and the newPuss in Bootsdid very, very well, and it’s led to people saying, “Well, when isShrekgonna be back on the screen?”
MURPHY: We started doingShrekfour or five months ago. I recorded the first act. We’ll be doing it this year. We finished it up. AnotherShrekis coming out,andDonkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do a Donkey, as well. So we’re gonna do aShrek andwe’re doing a Donkey. [Laughs]
Are you recording both right now?
MURPHY: No, not at the same time. I started recordingShrek, and I think it’s coming out in 2025. We’re doing a Donkey [movie] next.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Fis available to stream on Netflix beginning July 3.
