Eddie Murphy, a seasoned Hollywood actor, recently shared his thoughts on the significance of his role as Axel Foley in the iconic 'Beverly Hills Cop' franchise. In a candid interview, Murphy expressed how the success of the film series broke new ground for Black actors in the industry.
According to Murphy, 'Beverly Hills Cop' was a trailblazer as it marked the first time a movie starring a Black lead achieved global success. He emphasized that even today, Black-led films often struggle to resonate with international audiences, making the franchise's impact even more remarkable.
Murphy credited 'Beverly Hills Cop' for paving the way for other Black actors like Will Smith and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to achieve similar global recognition. The franchise's influence is evident in the upcoming fifth installment, currently in development with producer Jerry Bruckheimer fine-tuning the script.
The original 'Beverly Hills Cop' film, released in 1984, catapulted Murphy to stardom and garnered critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. The success of the first movie led to two sequels and now, the highly anticipated fourth entry.
The ensemble cast, featuring Murphy alongside Judge Reinhold, Bronson Pinchot, Lisa Eilbacher, Paul Reiser, and John Ashton, will reunite in 'Axel F,' directed by Mark Malloy. Joining the veteran cast are newcomers Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, promising an exciting continuation of the beloved franchise.
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' is set to premiere on Netflix on July 3, offering fans a chance to revisit the action-packed world of Axel Foley and his adventures in Beverly Hills.