After a brief hiatus, Eddie Murphy is returning to the big screen in a decidedly non-comedic fashion as lead in the dramatic film, Mr. Church. As reported on the film’s IMBD page, the drama chronicles “the story of a unique friendship that develops when a little girl (Britt Robertson) and her dying mother (Natascha McElhone) retain the services of a talented cook – Henry Joseph Church (Eddie Murphy).”
While Murphy is no stranger to box office success, his most recent films have failed to live up to expectations — a fact that he jokingly alluded to in a 2013 interview with Ellen DeGeneres. “I don’t want to do anything else that sucks ever again,” he said. Judging by the emotional trailer for his upcoming film, Murphy will likely prove himself a man of his word.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the resilient superstar has successfully pivoted his career. The comedian-turned-actor has a reputation for recoups and bounce-backs that prove him the GOAT at the art of reinvention.
Shall we hit them with this resume, Mr. Murphy?
SNL Eddie
Eddie Murphy took the ’80s by storm as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. His skits and original characters set precedents and catapulted him to superstardom.
Buddy Eddie
Murphy’s big screen debut in the 1982 film 48 hours with Nick Nolte set off an era of box-office-smashing buddy films, including Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd and the Beverly Hills Cop franchise that would catapult the comedian into superstardom, making him a household name.
Stand-up comedian Eddie
With feature stand-up films such as Delirious (1983) and Raw (1987), Murphy’s edgy comedy stylings solidified him as a top-grossing, stadium-selling force to be reckoned with.
Epic cult classic Eddie
After slaying the early ’80s, Murphy rounded out the decade with cult classics starring predominately black actors. Movies such as Coming to America (1988), Harlem Nights (1989) and Boomerang (1992) still go hard for the culture and continue to resonate with younger generations.
Family friendly Eddie
Millennials got to know a softer, friendlier Murphy in box office smashes, including Dr. Dolittle, Daddy Day Care, The Nutty Professor films, Shrek and Mulan.
Serious actor Eddie
In 2007, Eddie flipped the script and got an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor for his dramatic turn as soul singer James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls.
Don’t sleep! Although his career has been sprinkled with a few lessor known projects here and there, Murphy has been known to come out of the bag with the unexpected glo’ up.
Am I right, comeback Eddie?
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