Detective comedies are all the rage these days with Knives Out and all of Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie adaptations. Now, one of the OGs is returning, as we’ll soon see a new Pink Panther movie.
MGM is moving forward with an updated Pink Panther film from Sonic the Hedgehog filmmaker Jeff Fowler. In one of the biggest twists to this tale, Deadline reports that comedy legend Eddie Murphy is in talks to star.
Reports claim Murphy is currently in negotiations to play Inspector Clouseau. Little is known about the project, but THR hints the film is a live-action/CG hybrid, looking to combine both traditions narratively and aesthetically. THR claims we’ll see “the Pink Panther’s live-action crew break him out of his animated prison to do a heist job.”
Pink Panther is one of pop culture’s most recognizable characters with over 11 feature films, including the original Peter Sellers films and a reboot series in the 2000s. There’s also been countless tv series, specials, video games, and references in popular culture.
Eddie Murphy is one of Hollywood’s biggest faces and voices, making audiences laugh for decades. Murphy’s iconic credits include Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, and Shrek. Before facing off with this pink feline, he’ll return to one of his most famous works with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley.
Jeff Fowler will direct Pink Panther with a script from Chris Bremner. Fowler has successfully melded the world of animation and live-action with the beloved Sonic The Hedgehog films, with a third entry in the works for that as well. Rideback’s Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich will produce.