Eddie’s back — why now?
What’s behind the full-scale comeback — on both screen and stage — of legendary actor and comedian Eddie Murphy
IN 1983, HE was Delirious. In 1987, he was Raw. Now, in 2019, Eddie Murphy is reborn. The comedy mega-star has been AWOL for many years, ensconced in his cliffside Beverly Hills mansion and only emerging occasionally to make such humdrum films as A Thousand Words or Mr Church. It felt like the man who once inspired the nickname ‘Money’ had lost his appetite. Actually, no. He was just taking a break.
Right now, Murphy is in Atlanta, shooting a sequel to Coming To America,
the 1988 comedy classic that introduced the world to the line, “The royal penis is clean, your Highness.” And imminent is the release of Dolemite Is My Name,
in which Murphy plays hustler Rudy Ray Moore, one of the star’s real-life heroes, as he tries to make a no-budget blaxploitation movie. Both are passion projects: the first Coming To America
was based on a scribble Murphy made in a notepad, angry after a painful break-up, while Dolemite is the tale of a comedian who just won’t give up, much like Murphy himself as a young man.
“Dolemite is like a fire in Eddie’s heart,” Craig Brewer, director of both films, tells Empire. “He’s always wanted to make this movie. Coming 2 America is personal, too. The first one was originally called ‘The Quest’. And that’s what’s on all of our chairs on set: The Quest. Because it’s larger than Coming To America — it’s the whole experience Eddie had, creating it. He’s playing multiple roles again and having fun. But he’s not just fucking around — he really prepares.”
Equally tantalisingly for fans: Murphy is returning to live comedy. He’s not only promised a stand-up tour, but is confirmed for a guest-host slot on Saturday Night Live. The latter is a huge surprise, given he last hosted SNL in 1984, and famously quit as cast member, saying, “I don’t think the show is funny. I hate it.” Whatever happens in front of the cameras, the evening of 21 December will go down in history.
It’s the kind of full-blown A-list comeback that happens very rarely. And hopefully all those years off-grid will have been worthwhile. “Sometimes you need to go away and live a life,” says Brewer. “Eddie is a father, now recently a grandfather. All of that, I’m sure, is going to be excellent fodder for when he gets up on that stage in front of a microphone.” Whether he rocks another leather bodysuit or not, prepare yourself for the return of Money.
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME IS ON NETFLIX FROM 25 OCTOBER. COMING 2 AMERICA IS IN CINEMAS FROM 18 DECEMBER 2020