An Axe To Grind

Like Detective John McClane in the Die Hard films, and globe trotting adventurer Indiana Jones(?)... Another iconic character from 80's cinema is getting set for a comeback...With the intention of not only reviving a once thriving franchise--but a very talented man's now genre centric career as well.

Pamela McClintock and Dave McNary of Variety have the preliminary details:

Eddie Murphy is hitting the beat for "Beverly Hills Cop IV," working with Paramount in collaring Lorenzo di Bonaventura as producer.

The new regime at [at the studio] is keen on reviving the classic action-comedy franchise, which features Murphy as detective Axel Foley.

Murphy will work closely with [Paramount] and di Bonaventura in reinvigorating and updating the once-lucrative property. Project is out to writers.

Axel Foley Is Coming Back To A Theater Near You

Thesp, who will next be in theaters with "Dreamgirls," has always been attached to star in the fourth installment.

The first two pics in the franchise, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and his former partner Don Simpson, did enormous box office.

"Beverly Hills Cop," released in 1984, grossed more than $234.7 million domestically and another $81 million overseas. The next installment, released in 1987, took in more than $153.6 million in the U.S. and another $146 million overseas.

The franchise ran into trouble with the release of "Beverly Hills Cop III" in 1994. Pic grossed only $44 million domestically.

Bruckheimer wasn't involved with the third entry and won't be a producer on "Beverly Hills Cop IV" considering everything else he has on his plate.

Di Bonaventura, who has a producing deal at [the studio], said it will be a challenge to do the fourth installment as well as the previous films [Gee ya think?].

"Axel Foley is one of the great action-comedy characters, a character that Eddie loves. I'm lucky enough to help bring it back," di Bonaventura said. "This genre is missing from the landscape."

Murphy is in post-production with "Norbit." He also reprises his voice role in the upcoming "Shrek the Third"

While I certainly have nothing against family movies, Eddie Murphy really has been pigeonholed by them over the last few years. And I welcome his return to mote adult roles--ala Dreamgirls--I'm not sure about this one. Beverly Hills Cop III really stunk up the joint. The fact that there's not even a first draft of a script yet is troubling. For this to work at all-it needs a really really good screenplay for Murphy to work with. Right now, I don't see it happening and then, there's the questiion of who will direct the picture