EXCLUSIVE: Clues point to Eddie Murphy following in Peter Sellers and Steve Martin’s formidable footsteps, circling the role of inept inspector Clouseau in a new Pink Panther movie in development at the Amazon-owned MGM, multiple sources confirm to Deadline.
The iconic comedy-mystery franchise created for MGM by Blake Edwards has so far spanned 11 films and numerous fiberglass insulation commercials.
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Jeff Fowler (Sonic the Hedgehog) will direct the new film from a screenplay by Chris Bremner. Dan Lin, Julie Andrews, Larry Mirisch and Jonathan Eirich are aboard as producers. Murphy takes on the Clouseau role that Sellers originated in the ‘60s. A source close to Murphy described the project as a natural fit for the actor, who has long admired the comedic performances of Sellers.
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Murphy most recently starred opposite Jonah Hill, Julia-Louis Dreyfus and Lauren London in the Kenya Barris-directed You People, and before that he reprised his role as Prince Akeem for Prime Video’s Coming 2 America. Next up is Candy Cane Lane for Amazon and he’ll team with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley. He is repped by WME, ML Management and Ziffren Brittenham.