Eddie Murphy reveals that Dan Aykroyd offered him a part in Ghostbusters but he turned it down: ‘I did Beverly Hills Cop instead’
Eddie Murphy has revealed that he turned down a role in the classic comedy film Ghostbusters.
The 59-year-old actor recently sat down for an interview with Parade, which was published on Friday, and he was asked what movie from the 1980s he would have liked to have been involved in.
The comedian then recalled an instance when he was offered a part in the 1984 film by cast member Dan Aykroyd.
What could have been: Eddie Murphy revealed that Dan Aykroyd had offered him a part in Ghostbusters, but he turned it down in favor of working on Beverly Hills Cop; he is seen during a 2019 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Murphy recalled, ‘I was supposed to be in Ghostbusters. We were doing Trading Places and Dan Aykroyd was like, “This movie Ghostbusters….”‘
The actor then noted that he declined to appear in the film to take the starring role in another hit 1980s flick.
‘I wish I could have been in both, but I did Beverly Hills Cop instead of Ghostbusters,’ he said.
The supernatural comedy film, which also starred Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, went on to be a smash hit and grossed just over $295 million at the box office.
Looking back: During the interview, Murphy expressed that he wished he ‘could have been in both’ hit 1980s films; the principal cast of Ghostbusters are pictured together in 1984
It was a good choice: Beverly Hills Cop received positive reviews upon its release and took in over $316 million; the actor is seen performing in the 1984 film
Ghostbusters produced a direct sequel, which was released in 1989, a 2016 reboot and an upcoming continuation of the original franchise, which will premiere later this year.
Two animated series based on the original films were also produced in the 1990s.
Beverly Hills Cop was also highly successful upon its 1984 released and brought in over $316 million on a budget of $13 million.
Two sequels to the film were released in 1987 and 1994, respectively, and an unaired television pilot was produced in 2013.
A fourth entry in the franchise is currently in development; Murphy is expected to return to his role as Axel Foley.
Keeping it going: Beverly Hills Cop spawned two sequels, and a fourth film in the franchise is currently in development; Murphy is seen alongside Judge Reinhold in 1994
Murphy is currently prepping for the March 5th release of Coming 2 America.
The original feature was released in 1988 and received positive reviews upon its debut.
During the interview, the actor briefly spoke about working on the film and expressed that he wanted fans of the original movie to see that ‘we did this lovingly.’
The comedian also expressed enthusiasm for the year ahead and remarked that he was hopeful that things would be better than they were in 2020.
‘I’m just optimistic…Everything’s fresh and new, and everything’s resetting,’ Murphy noted.
Onwards and upwards: Murphy also expressed his enthusiasm for the future during the interview, and noted that he was ‘just optimistic’ for 2021; the actor is pictured during the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2020