Two comedic greats are about to team up for a new film from Kenya Barris. It’s been announced that Eddie Murphy will star opposite Jonah Hill in an upcoming comedy that Barris will direct. Murphy and Barris are old friends, as it was Barris who served as a writer on Murphy’s Coming 2 America. Barris’ new project is being set up at Netflix, which he and Hill co-wrote. Barris will also produce through Khalabo Ink Society, with Hill producing via Strong Baby. Kevin Misher of Misher Films is also joining the production effort.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, though THR says it’s to be presented as “an incisive examination of modern love and family dynamics and how clashing cultures, societal expectations, and generational differences shape and affect relationships. Murphy and Hill will find themselves on opposite sides of some of those divides.”
This will be Barris’ feature directorial debut. Mychelle Deschamp is exec producing, as will Hale Rothstein for Khalabo Ink Society. Also set to executive produce are Strong Baby’s Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin and Andy Berman of Misher Films. Finally, David Hyman and Charisse Hewitt Webster will executive produce as well.
Murphy, a legend of both comedy and drama, recently starred in Coming 2 America. The sequel was a smash hit on Amazon when it debuted earlier this year. Rather than leap into whatever comes his way, Murphy has remained selective about any feature film contributions. According to his Hollywood dance card, Murphy is set to join Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito for Triplets, a follow-up to 1988’s Twins. The film is apparently in pre-production with Ivan Reitman set to direct. Between you and me, I won’t believe this project exists until we see a trailer.
Another film that Murphy is currently attached to is Beverly Hills Cop 4. The long-gestating sequel recently qualified for a California tax credit, with plans to shoot in San Bernadino.
Are we poised to enter an Eddie Murphy renaissance? Can we expect more promising announcements from the man himself? I certainly hope so.