Eddie Murphy is suiting up for one of the most iconic detective roles in comedy.
The Beverly Hills Cop star has confirmed that he’ll be playing Inspector Jacques Clouseau in an upcoming Pink Panther movie, marking the franchise’s first major instalment since 2009.
More on Screen Realm:
Murphy made the announcement during an interview on Today, surprising Al Roker with the news while listing off his current projects.
“I’m getting ready to do a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic. I’m getting ready to do George Clinton,” Murphy said. “I’ve already started Shrek 5. And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther.”
Roker, clearly caught off guard, sought clarification, prompting Murphy to confirm: “Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau.”
French, Haitian… or Just Eddie?
When asked whether Clouseau would still be French in this version, Murphy leaned into the comedy: “Maybe,” he said. “Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
While details on the tone and plot of this new take remain under wraps, Murphy’s casting suggests a return to big, character-driven comedy for the long-running franchise.
Following in Sellers’ (and Martin’s) Footsteps
Murphy takes the baton from Peter Sellers, who famously originated the bumbling French detective in 1963’s The Pink Panther and several sequels, before passing it to Steve Martin in the mid-2000s reboot. That version, spanning two films (2006 and 2009), was largely panned by critics, with the second film earning just 13% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Murphy’s version comes after years of speculation, with the comedian previously linked to the role as early as 2023. His confirmation now sets the stage for the franchise’s 12th film, with hopes of recapturing the slapstick-meets-sophistication tone that defined the original entries.
Murphy’s Packed Slate: From Donkey to Funk Legend
The Pink Panther film is just one of several major projects on Murphy’s docket. In addition to voicing Donkey once more in Shrek 5 (and a potential Donkey solo film), he stars in the upcoming Prime Video action-comedy The Pickup alongside Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, and he’s set to play funk icon George Clinton in a biopic.
Reflecting on his evolving career, Murphy noted during the interview that he’s no longer the young, wisecracking lead: “Usually I’m the young maverick guy. And now I’m the old voice of reason,” he said.
He also joked about the toll of doing action scenes in your sixties: “When you get our age, you have to pay. If you whip somebody’s ass when you’re our age, you kind of whip your own ass, too.”
