Eddie Murphy and Boomerang director Reginald Hudlin are getting the band back together for the holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane. The newly-announced project hails from Amazon Studios, Imagine Entertainment, and Eddie Murphy Productions. Based on a spec script written by Kelly Younger and inspired by Younger’s childhood holiday experiences, Candy Cane Lane reunites Murphy with Hudlin, who in 1992 delivered the classic romantic comedy Boomerang. The film, which Murphy is also producing alongside Imagine’s Brian Grazer and president of features Karen Lunder, and Charisse Hewitt-Webster, marks the seventh feature collaboration for Grazer and Murphy.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, and production will begin this winter in Los Angeles. Candy Cane Lane will premiere on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The film is the first feature falling under Murphy’s three-picture and first-look film deal with Amazon Studios. The arrangement came about after the monumental success of Coming 2 America on Prime Video. Coming 2 America was the platform’s #1 streaming movie on its opening weekend, defeating many of its competitors for the top prize.
“The holiday season is my favorite time of year—just ask my family about my nine-hour Christmas playlist!” said director Reginald Hudlin. “I’m excited to be working again with Eddie Murphy, Brian Grazer, and Amazon.”
“As we know firsthand with our hit Coming 2 America, Eddie is someone who brings global audiences together, and we can’t wait to make it happen again!” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “We look forward to seeing the multi-talented Reggie Hudlin take the helm in bringing this future holiday classic to life!”
Oscar and Emmy-nominated producer and director Hudlin has directed films like House Party, Boomerang, Marshall, The Black Godfather, and Safety. Additionally, he has produced movies such as Django Unchained and Bebe’s Kids and series such as Phat Tuesday, Friday Night Vibes with Tiffany Haddish, The Boondocks, and the Black Panther animated series. Murphy and Hudlin work exceptionally well together. I can’t wait to see their chemistry at work as they get into the holiday spirit for Candy Cane Lane.