Eddie Murphy Considered the 'Beverly Hills Cop' Film Series as Pivotal Contributions to His Career. Learn His Reasons.
The bold actor places a high value on his portrayal of Axel Foley in the "Beverly Hills Cop" series, considering it to be an exceptional achievement compared to his other roles.
During a recent chat with Extra, Murphy highlighted that "Before 'Beverly Hills Cop,' there hadn't been a film featuring a Black lead character that managed to gain global success."
He continued, stating, "Even in the present day, when Black artists create movies, they often find success domestically but struggle overseas."
Citing his past works in "The Nutty Professor" and "Coming to America" as examples of hit films, he explained that "‘Beverly Hills Cop' was the one that started it all."
He concluded by saying, "Will Smith, Dwayne Johnson, and others are doing it now, but ‘Beverly Hills Cop' was the first to pave the way."
Additionally, Murphy confirmed that a fifth installment of the series is currently being developed, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer working on the script.
"Beverly Hills Cop" first hit screens in 1984, and the character became a defining role for Murphy. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay and has since produced two sequels – "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987) and "Beverly Hills Cop III" (1994) – with the upcoming fourth entry now on the horizon.
The original film, directed by Martin Brest, follows Foley, a renegade Detroit cop, as he investigates the murder of a childhood friend in Beverly Hills. The film's original cast members, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, John Ashton, and Bronson Pinchot, are set to reprise their roles in the Mark Malloy-directed "Axel F." The cast for the fourth film also includes Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Fans can stream "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" on Netflix starting July 3.
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Eddie Murphy expresses gratitude for the worldwide success of the "Beverly Hills Cop" series, as it broke barriers for Black lead characters in entertainment.In discussing his career, Murphy emphasizes that "Beverly Hills Cop" was the film that truly launched his global fame.
