Out promoting his new comedy feature “The Pickup”, 64-year-old comedian/actor Eddie Murphy revealed a surprise during a televised appearance on the Today show.
The actor says he’ll be taking on the famed role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in a new iteration of the “Pink Panther” franchise at Amazon MGM Studios.
Peter Sellers played the role across five films from “A Shot in the Dark” in 1964 through to “Revenge of the Pink Panther” in 1978 before his death. Steve Martin took on the role twice in the late 2000s as part of a reboot.
Murphy indicated to the hosts that he has multiple upcoming projects in the works and is currently getting ready to do a biopic about funk pioneer George Clinton. He talked a bit about “Shrek 5” and then said:
“And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther”, he announced casually. When host Al Roker expressed surprise, Murphy reiterated: “Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau.”
Asked if he’ll play the inept detective as French, Murphy laughed and said: “Maybe…Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
Murphy was previously rumored for a “Pink Panther” project back in 2023, but the report was never confirmed.
“The Pickup” hits Amazon Prime Video on August 6th.
