- Eddie Murphy showcases his improvisational skills in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, delivering some of the film’s funniest moments.
- Producer Jerry Bruckheimer praises Murphy as an incredible artist with equal talent for drama and comedy.
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’s cast includes the return of detectives Taggart and Billy Rosewood and introduces Axel’s daughter Jane, portrayed by Taylour Paige.
Fans have been anticipating the return of Eddie Murphy as the lovable and hilarious Detroit detective Axel Foley since his 1984 debut in Beverly Hills Cop. Now, in 2024 and in time for the original film’s 40th anniversary, Murphy is set to reprise the role in Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Director Mark Molloy has nothing but praise for Murphy’s improvisational talents, saying in an interview with Tudum, “Some of the funniest moments in Axel F are when Eddie’s improvising. For me, a big part of my job was to create the right environment, cast the right people around Eddie to allow him to do what he does best.”
Jerry Bruckheimer, who served as a producer on both Beverly Hills Cop and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), is also impressed with Murphy’s work in the upcoming film. Despite the 40-year gap since Murphy first played the role, Bruckheimer remains proud of his comedic talent. He told Tudum, “Eddie’s such an incredible artist. He can do drama, he can do comedy – he can do anything. And he’s the same Axel Foley. He’s still on the streets. He’s still doing what he does [best]. Obviously, with age, you get wiser. But he still has the twinkle in his eye.”
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F seems to be shaping up as a significant improvement over the poorly received Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) with the return of both detectives Taggart (John Ashton) and Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), who were missing from the third installment. The plot of the new film centers around Axel helping his daughter Jane, played by Taylour Paige, when her life is threatened. Director Mark Molloy is confident in Paige’s skills, stating, “I saw that same glint in Taylour’s eye, that infectious spark and energy that Axel has, but also someone who could go toe to toe with Axel, which is a hard thing.”
The fourth installment of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise is set to release on Netflix sometime in 2024. In the meantime, fans can watch the Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F trailer to get a taste of what’s in store.