We can all agree that Eddie Murphy has made poor decisions in the past regarding the integrity of his film choices, but when you come out of the gate with three consecutive hits in three consecutive years (48 Hours, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop), lucidity can fall to the wayside in lieu of loot. There is no doubt, though, that the man is talented when properly focused and motivated, as evidenced by his outstanding — and Oscar-nominated — performance in Dreamgirls.
The former Hollywood boy wonder is aiming to change the public’s perception with his next vehicle, Cook, and apparently he’s been spurred on by the McConaissance to finally begin placing quality before quantity (of money). In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Murphy was asked about the status of Beverly Hills Cop 4, and his sentiments regarding this current iteration of his career were evident.
Nah, they still trying to get that script right. I’m not doing a Beverly Hills Cop unless they have a really incredible script. I’ve read a couple things that look like they can make some paper. But I’m not doing a sh*tty movie just to make some paper. The sh*t got to be right. I just finished doing a movie called Cook, with Bruce Beresford. He directed Driving Miss Daisy. It’s not a comedy, though. It’s a drama.
“…I’m not doing a sh*tty movie just to make some paper,” is quite the contrast to what Murphy has done for the past two decades. Despite the actor-comedian not retaining the most pristine reputation in Hollywood, the movie business would be a better place if he decided to unleash his undeniable talent.
