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Brett Ratner Continues Life Support on Eddie Murphy's Career

by Kevin Powers
April 18, 2008
Source: Hollywood Reporter

I think it's about time for Eddie Murphy to hang up comedy; unless, of course, he's simply lending his voice to a CGI donkey. But speaking of ass, on the heels of the colossally stupid Norbit and his recently announced Meet Dave (check out Alex's reaction to that trailer), word comes that Murphy is attached to Brett Ratner's still-in-negotiations The Incredible Shrinking Man remake. Ratner and Murphy together turning a sci-fi classic of the '50s into a comedy is not a promising equation at all. Let me say it now - this movie is going to suck.

If I haven't convinced you yet, then let's look at the writers behind the transformed material: Thomas Lennon and Ben Garant. The two have been behind such comedic bellwethers as Taxi, Herbie Fully Loaded and Let's Go to Prison. I will give them a tiny bit of cred for Reno 911! (tiny!), which they created and star in, and Night at the Museum, but that's it. So is there anything about this news that excites anyone?

While Murphy was pretty good in Dreamgirls, he seems to have peaked (comedically) in 1996's Nutty Professor; similar projects since (e.g. Doctor Dolittle, Bowfinger, etc) have all been complete disappointments. About the only thing I might watch him in nowadays might be a remake to his most memorable role as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop. I'm not exactly sure where that project stands nowadays, but I think that's the only chance of Murphy asserting any relevance in the 21st century. Otherwise, he should just hang it up. He just turned 50 after all! Just kidding... 50 isn't that old. But if you're looking for another reason to believe it's his time...

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