Eddie Murphy Explains Why Making Beverly Hills Cop 4 Was So Hard

More than three years ago, Eddie Murphy revealed that Beverly Hills Cop 4 was in the works, and the onetime superstar actor and comedian was starring and producing in the comedy-action film. Since then, Eddie resurrected Coming To America with a 2021 sequel, which he starred in and co-produced.

This week, Murphy, now 61 years old, received the lifetime achievement Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards. There, Murphy made headlines with a quip about some of the comedians he influenced. “I want to let you know there’s a definitive blueprint that you can follow to achieve success, prosperity and peace of mind. It’s very simple,” Murphy said from the podium at the Beverly Hilton last night (January 10). “There’s three things: pay your taxes, mind your business and keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out your f*cking mouth!” The joke was in reference to Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at last year’s Academy Awards.

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However, after the show, speaking with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner, Eddie Murphy said far more interesting things, these about his upcoming film. After making clear that he loves former costar Jada Pinkett, Will Smith, and Chris Rock, Eddie shared the challenges he faced returning to the character of “Axel Foley,” which debuted in 1984’s first Beverly Hills Cop.

“When we stopped making the movie, I was like, ‘I’m not doin’ no more Beverly Hills Cop!’ ‘Cause it was so, so hard!” Eddie is referencing a conversation he had with film producer Jerry Bruckheimer after completing filming. At the 2:00 mark, he explained, “I did [the first film] when I was 21; I’m 61.” The standup and improv star-turned-Hollywood mainstay elaborated, “It was a physical Action movie. It was just really, really hard. There was one time where I was supposed to be running down some steps, and the director, after the take, came and said, ‘Can we get another one? Faster and with a greater sense of urgency,’ I was like, ‘Get the f*ck outta here, yo!’ [Laughs] I was maxed out!”

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Eddie Murphy agrees that Beverly Hills Cop 4 features some emotional depth, including a plot surrounding “Axel Foley’s” relationship with his daughter. Murphy jokes that the emotions come from the near-death requirements of his role. “There were many times I thought I was gonna die on the set,” he says with a chuckle. “I know some actors get into doing that type of stunts and stuff [sic]. Before the movie, I said to Jerry, ‘I’m 61, don’t ask me to do sh*t that you wouldn’t ask Morgan Freeman to do.'” Despite plans of a stunt double, the Brooklyn, New Yorker admits that his physicality was required in making the film. “I found myself jumping, and running, and rolling around, and it was a lot.”

Eddie also spoke about You People, which director Kenya Barris co-wrote with Jonah Hill. “Most romantic comedies are just funny and sweet, and this is kind of the way Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner had this edge to it because it’s this race conversation,” Murphy said. The film also stars Mike Epps, Lauren London, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and more.

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Beverly Hills Cop 4 is expected in theaters by 2024.