Eddie Murphy Is Cluing In For New 'Pink Panther' Movie

'The film will be directed by 'Sonic the Hedgehog' director Jeff Fowler for MGM

Back in April, it was reported that Amazon was combing through the MGM library it acquired and put into development several IP reinvigorations. Among them was The Pink Panther, which has been sitting dormant for over a decade. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether it would be an Inspector Clouseau story or one for the Pink Panther who broke out in popularity from the original films’ animated intro. Now, there’s something of an answer.

Eddie Murphy is in negotiations to star as Inspector Clouseau in the new film, which will indeed be a comedy. Jeff Fowler, director of the Sonic the Hedgehog films has been chosen to direct this film. And he’s certainly got the experience, as it’s going to be a live-action/CG hybrid just as those films are. Because it’s not going to just be a Clouseau film, but star both the bumbling Inspector and the cartoon panther. The premise takes a buddy cop movie tone as the two team up for the first time in a major capacity. This version of the project was originally announced in November 2020.

The film is still in deep development, but the script will come from Chris Bremner, with Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirichproducing via their Rideback banner. Larry Mirisch, of the Mirisch family and production company of the original films, and Julie Andrews, the Sound of Music and Mary Poppins actress who is the widow of Blake Edwards, director of a majority of the original run of Clouseau-starring films, are also producing. Ryan Halprin is an executive producer.

Murphy, known for starring in film series such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Shrek, and The Nutty Professor and Doctor Dolittle remake series, has seen a career resurgence following Dolemite is My Name and was recently seen in You People, both on Netflix, and a new Beverly Hills Cop film, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley is also coming to the service.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter