Eddie Murphy Lining Up Starring Role In 'The Pink Panther' Reboot

Eddie Murphy could potentially star in a new update of a classic comedy franchise. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-nominated, Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian is negotiating to star in a planned reboot of "The Pink Panther" film series. According to THR's report, Murphy would star as the franchise's longtime protagonist, Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

If he signs on, Murphy will star in a reboot of the classic property from filmmaker Jeff Fowler ("Sonic the Hedgehog") from a script by Chris Bremner. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich (Disney's "Aladdin") produced the project from their Rideback production banner. Larry Mirisch and Julie Andrews are also attached as producers.

THR also reports that the new film would be a hybrid of both live-action and CGI, combining the original films' traditions, primarily live-action with animated opening and closing sequences. Suppose the plan is to have Eddie Murphy interacting with a literal CGI Pink Panther. In that case, it makes more sense why Fowler is on board, noting his experience with the two successful "Sonic the Hedgehog" movies based on the iconic video game series.

The new film's premise would have Inspector Clouseau (Murphy) teaming up with the actual Pink Panther (an anthropomorphic living panther, not the diamond) for the first time on the big screen. THR notes that the project is still deep into its early development stages.

The first "Pink Panther" film was released in 1963. Originally designed as a star vehicle for Niven, a thief who seeks to steal a priceless diamond dubbed the "Pink Panther." While it was initially meant as a starring vehicle for Niven as Sir Charles Lytton, aka a notorious thief called "The Phantom," the true standout of the film was Peter Sellers as the bumbling, clueless detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

Sellers later took center stage in the film's first sequel, "A Shot in the Dark," released in 1964, which centered on Sellers and his antics as Clouseau rather than Niven's Sir Lytton. Sellers would return to the role again for several sequels released in the 1970s.

The first significant reboot of the franchise was attempted in 1993 with "Son of the Pink Panther," starring Roberto Benigni, who turned out to be the long-lost son of the late Inspector Clouseau. Longtime franchise filmmaker and co-writer Blake Edwards was back to direct the sequel, but the film was a critical and box office flop.

MGM had more success with another reboot in 2006, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Steve Martin as Clouseau. It also featured Beyonce Knowles as a famous pop star named Xania. Critics trashed it, but it did well at the box office, garnering $164 million worldwide. Its 2009 sequel did not fare as well, grossing less than half of the original.

The franchise is also well known for its iconic theme song and animated mascot, the Pink Panther, who would be featured in the films nergetic opening and closing credit sequences. The character would also later star in his animated shows.

Murphy recently starred in "Coming 2 America," the 2021 sequel to his all-time 1988 comedy classic, "Coming to America." He also appeared in the 2023 Netflix comedy "You People." In 2020, Murphy won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting "Saturday Night Live." As previously reported by The Blast, Murphy also began work last year on a long-awaited sequel to the "Beverly Hills Cop" series. "Beverly Hills Cop IV" will launch on Netflix later on.

MGM's planned reboot of "The Pink Panther" is in the works and has no official release date yet.