Summary
With the beloved action comedy franchise finally gearing up to return, Eddie Murphy and Jerry Bruckheimer are already working onBeverly Hills Cop 5ideas. Following years of stalled development and scrapped follow-ups, Murphy is back as Axel Foley in the upcoming fourth movie, which will see the Detroit Police Lieutenant returning to the titular California city to help his daughter after her life is threatened, ultimately pitting him against a group of corrupt officers. Joining Murphy fortheBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fcastare returning stars Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige and Kevin Bacon.
Ahead of the fourth movie’s release,Varietyspoke with Murphy and Bruckheimer to discussBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F’s release. The conversation eventually turned to the potential future of the franchise, with both confirming that they are putting together plans for a fifth installment, with the producer in particular stating that they have “a couple of stories in mind” for the next movie. Check out what Murphy and Bruckheimer shared below:
Eddie Murphy: They’re developing it. If it comes together, we’ll be doing another one.
Jerry Bruckheimer: We have a couple of stories in mind.
With the movie having lingered a long time in development hell, many eyes are not only on to whetherBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fwill be worth the wait, but can also put the franchise back on a positive track. Though the 1984 original was the highest-grossing movie of its year and garnered widespread acclaim, its sequels saw diminishing returns both with reviews and at the box office, with the third movie in particular turning Murphy off from the franchise. Check out how theprevious threeBeverly Hills Copmoviescompare on Rotten Tomatoes and the box office below:
83%
82%
46%
58%
11%
35%
$119.2 Million
GivenBeverly Hills Copremains one of Murphy’s most loved properties, there is a lot of anticipation for the upcoming fourth movie, especially with his returning co-stars also onboard. Interestingly, it also comes at a time when many of Bruckheimer’s former franchises are finding new success with modern viewers, particularly that ofTop GunafterMaverick’s blockbuster success andBad Boyswith bothFor LifeandRide or Die. The latter of which has even reignited the 2024 Summer box office after an early slump and scored the highest audience Rotten Tomatoes score for the buddy cop franchise.
ThoughBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F’s releasewon’t be getting the same theatrical treatment asBad BoysorTop Gun, there is still plenty of opportunity for it to find new footing as a franchise on Netflix and set upBeverly Hills Cop 5. The streamer has already revived plenty of prior properties after their cancellations and gave others new life after some time away from the screen, ranging fromCobra KaitoChicken Run. ShouldAxel Ffind the same level of success as these others, Murphy may just keep Axel Foley around for years to come.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Cast
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley is the fourth film in the popular comedy franchise starring Eddie Murphy. Murphy returns as Axel Foley in the Netflix film alongside returning cast members Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and Bronson Pinchot as Serge. Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt also star in the sequel as new characters.
