A once-in-a-lifetime kind of talent!
Eddie Murphy recently sat down with Netflix to talk about his new movie “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Murphy reprises his Axel Foley character, paying homage to the 1984 original with a new storyline that follows the witty cop on a journey with a new partner after his daughter’s life is threatened. Murphy explained how he breathed life into the 40-year-old character and shared creative tricks behind some of his other classic movie characters.
“I could look at Axel at 22 and think, ‘Oh, how can I take some of that and put that Axel at 63? It’s a whole different person. Characters that I’ve created, they kind of come together in a different way,” Murphy explained.
He went on to share more information about some other characters, including Professor Klump from Murphy’s Nutty Professor franchise. The key to Klump’s staying power was not just the fantastical storyline but also the professor’s endearing nature.
“It’s funny, and it’s got a nice, sweet little heart thing. You know you feel for this character, Sherman,” added Murphy.
Murphy is known for bringing so much life to his characters, often playing multiple roles within the same movie, his comedic genius peaking in classics like Norbit and Coming to America. Murphy went on to credit pioneering comedians like Rudy Ray Moore as the inspiration behind some of his work, talking more about the cinematic work that goes into bringing movies like his to life.
Catch a clip from the Netflix sit-down below!
Cover photo: Eddie Murphy Shares the Creative Tricks Behind His Most Beloved Characters/Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic