Netflix would like to insert itself into Eddie Murphy’s comeback narrative. In the last year, the comedian has returned from hibernation, jumping out of his film hiatus with myriad high-profile projects, including the Netflix original Dolemite Is My Name, a sequel to his ‘80s classic Coming to America, and a hosting gig on former stomping grounds Saturday Night Live. He’s also reportedly in talks to do a lucrative stand-up special for Netflix. Now, per Deadline the comedian’s next project, a fourth installment in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, has been picked up by, yes, Netflix. The streamer reportedly acquired the rights to the film, signing a one-time licensing deal with Paramount. In the parlance of teens these days, this third Netflix project means the streamer is just an Eddie Murphy fan account now.
Deadline reports that the deal also gives Netflix an option for a sequel, fully revamping the blockbuster franchise that starred Murphy as the defiant cop Axel Foley. The first film came out in 1984, the second in 1987, and the third in 1994. The reboot, which has been in the works for quite some time now, would handily flesh out Murphy’s big screen return.
Between this, Dolemite, and the potential stand-up special, Netflix is fully vested in the Eddie Murphy business, attempting to single-handedly bring him back to the masses (Coming 2 America, meanwhile, will be a Paramount joint). In a way, the all-in Murphy move is reminiscent of Netflix’s decision a few years back to capitalize on Adam Sandler, signing a multi-film deal with the comedian that has yielded such (alleged!) hits as Murder Mystery and The Ridiculous 6. Though the streaming giant doesn’t release firm viewership numbers, Netflix has repeatedly said that Sandler’s original films are among its most-watched options. Murder Mystery, for example costarring Jennifer Aniston, had the streamer’s biggest “opening weekend” of any original film, apparently watched by 30,869,863 accounts in its first three days.
Netflix is probably hoping for the same burst of attention with Murphy, who was long one of the most bankable comedians of his generation. Nabbing the rights to one of his biggest franchises is as good a start as any.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— Our cover story: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen on love and resistance in the age of Trump
— Plus: Watch the first couple we deserve give each other a lie detector test
— RuPaul announces Drag Race spin-off featuring only celebrity contestants
— Game of Thrones’ Night King first looked completely different—for a reason
— Get your first look at the new Star Wars assassin from The Mandalorian
— The celebrity-NBA Twitter account you don’t want to miss
— From the archive: The man Hollywood trusted with its secrets
Looking for more? Sign up for our daily Hollywood newsletter and never miss a story.