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  • TV Review: ‘The Residence’

    (L to R) Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in 'The Residence'. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.

    ‘The Residence’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    Arriving on Netflix on March 20th, ‘The Residence’ sees prolific TV power producer Shonda Rhimes and her Shondaland company looking to give the streaming service its own take on ‘Only Murders in the Building.’

    But is there room for more than a couple of shows that blend murder mystery and comedy? That’s the case to unpack here.

    Related Article: Emmy Nominee John Hoffman Talks ‘Only Murders in the Building’

    Is ‘The Residence’ a Compelling Mystery?

    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    With its unusual central sleuth, a lot of frustrated potential suspects and a (mostly) one-location setting, this new series still manages to avoid coming across like a bad copy of the ‘Only Murders’ format.

    Here, creator/showrunner Paul William Davies (no stranger to White House affairs after working on Rhimes-birthed crisis management thriller series ‘Scandal’) mixes a crafty, funny mix of his own personal favorite mystery writers (the episode titles all nod to classic mystery books or movies) with the intriguing inner workings of the most famous address in America, since he also drew from Kate Andersen Brower’s book ‘The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House.’

    It’s a combo that works really well –– the scurrilous world of behind-the-scenes drama during a State dinner for Australia is a fantastic backdrop for a teasing conundrum.

    Script and Direction

    (Right) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    (Right) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    The key to any good mystery –– whether it’s supposed to be funny or not –– is a carefully constructed script with enough red herrings to throw you off the scent of the final truth at the heart of the matter.

    Here, Williams and his writing staff concocted the twisted story of White House chief usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), who rules efficiently and smoothly, but can’t abide personal drama. When he shows up dead on an upper floor of the residence at the White House, some within the building want it written off as a suicide, while others are convinced it was murder.

    Naturally, that calls for a detective to be brought in, and ‘The Residence’s creative team have made one for the ages in Uzo Aduba’s Cordelia Cupp, a dedicated ornithologist who just so happens to have a genius brain for ferretting out the answers to mysteries.

    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    But it’s not just the Cordelia Cupp show, the scripts weave and wander around the residence, replaying moments in time from different angles and creating a solid group of characters to tell the story. And while a lot of the series takes place within the title location, there is also a hearing happening to break things up.

    Directorially, Liza Johnson and her team bring an interesting style to the show, which sweeps through a version of the White House, and perfectly complements the story.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park in 'The Residence'. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.

    Uzo Aduba is delightful as Cordelia Cupp, a consulting detective in the Sherlock Holmes mold, who is brought in by befuddled authorities to crack the case.

    Aduba is a natural at this sort of quirky comedy, and the character she brings to life is effortlessly entertaining, whether she’s interrogating suspects, confounding those who perceive themselves superior to her or tracking down a rare bird she wants to cross off her spotting list.

    Her mismatched buddy comedy chemistry with Randall Park’s FBI agent Edwin Park is one of the best elements of the series –– they’re on the same mission, but they rarely agree on how to go about it, and Park’s deadpan energy syncs well with Aduba’s.

    Giancarlo Esposito faced his own challenge coming into the show, as he inherited the role of chief usher Wynter from Andre Braugher. While Braugher had briefly played the part before the 2023 WGA strike shut down production, he died before filming could resume, leading to Esposito (who, coincidentally, replaced him years ago on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ before they co-starred in the follow-up TV movie to the show) stepping in.

    Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    Wynter might seem like a character Esposito has become very known for playing –– icy, analytical and quietly arrogant, but he proves to be a refreshing change from that mode, with some more layers (even if his death kicks off the central mystery).

    Of the considerable supporting cast, highlights include Al Franken, playing the senator leading the hearing into the investigation, the ever-reliable Eliza Coupe who steals scenes as Senator Bix, who is eager to get to the truth of the matter, and Mel Rodriguez, playing Bruce Geller, the chief engineer who had no great love for Wynter, but does fall for another member of the household staff.

    Jason Lee is good value as Tripp Morgan, the President’s scruffy, lazy, salt-obsessed and light-fingered brother, bringing just the right level of sibling rivalry to the show, while Jane Curtin makes a meal of the role as the President’s mother-in-law who loves a drink, but hates noise.

    Oh, and kudos to pop legend Kylie Minogue for being so game to make fun of herself in a couple of episodes.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    With its quirky score and offbeat central figure, you could effectively call this ‘Only Murders in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’ (yes, yes, we know… the residence is part of the White House proper, just go with it.)

    This latest Shondaland offering has a solid cast, a great mystery and a watchable story that keeps you guessing.

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    What’s the plot of ‘The Residence’?

    Set in “upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs” of the White House, Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an eccentric detective, arrives on the premises in order to solve a murder which happened during a state dinner. During the investigation, interpersonal conflicts between 157 personnel of the residence start to unfold.

    Who stars in ‘The Residence’?

    (L to R) Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in 'The Residence'. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

    List of Uzo Aduba Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Uzo Aduba Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Paul Reiser as Jeffrey Friedman in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Paul Reiser as Jeffrey Friedman in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    Premiering on Netflix July 3rd, ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ is the realization of the long-in-development new sequel for the ‘Cop’ franchise. After more false starts than a car with a banana in its tailpipe (including a failed TV pilot), Paramount sold off the rights to the movie series starring Eddie Murphy as wisecracking detective Axel Foley.

    Related Article: The 30 Best Eddie Murphy Movies of All Time!

    Initial Thoughts

    Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix ©2023.

    Feeling in some ways like fellow legacy sequel ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (it even starts with Murphy’s Foley still in action, still breaking rules and managing to stay on the job thanks to leverage from a friend in high places much like Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell), yet never quite rising to the heights of that box office barnstormer, ‘Axel F’ nevertheless manages to walk the nostalgia beat without relying on it so heavily as to be overused.

    It’s certainly good to see Murphy back actually enjoying himself in the role (which certainly didn’t seem to be the case for a lot of 1994’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’), and the movie around him, though it can’t compete with Martin Brest’s 1984 original or Tony Scott’s 1987 sequel, should easily slip into third place in most fans’ lists, which is more than can be said for some legacy sequels such as the recent ‘Exorcist’ release or ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’.

    Script and Direction

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott, and Bronson Pinchot as Serge in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott, and Bronson Pinchot as Serge in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    Written by Will Beall and Tom Gormican, the script manages to bring back many of the stalwarts of the franchise, yet also combines them with a story that acknowledges where they would be now and some modern attitudes to policing from characters including Joseph Gordon–Levitt’s Bobby Abbott. And even more welcome, it lets Murphy be funny again, giving the season performer room to improvise and feel like the Axel that fans remember. It also smartly comments on the franchise’s past, including a slightly snarky (but entirely earned) shot at the third movie, and a moment where Axel considers putting on a voice and playing a character to get what he wants, but ditches it, tired of the same old routine.

    Mark Molloy is a commercial director making his feature debut here, and the style he’s chosen certainly fits with the look of the original trilogy (nodding more towards Scott’s perhaps). It doesn’t announce itself too much and he also lets Murphy breathe as the main character, while finding solid work for the whole cast.

    Performances:

    ‘Axel F’ has a solid ensemble supporting Murphy, and both the returning veterans and new franchise faces have a good role to play.

    Eddie Murphy as Detective Axel Foley

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    One of Murphy’s most famous characters, and the one that made him a star, Axel Foley is clearly a place that the actor feels comfortable in (even if he hasn’t always shown that). For ‘Axel F’, he’s on good form, wrangling the motor-mouthed Axel from the original two movies with the more laidback, mature version.

    Here he’s faced with old friends in a story that services both him, and them, well.

    Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood

    Though Judge Reinhold’s Billy (the only other person besides Murphy to appear in all the movies) is somewhat sidelined for a chunk of the storyline, he’s also recognizably Billy –– a littler greyer, a little more wizened, but still the enthusiastic friend and handy with a gun.

    John Ashton as Chief John Taggart, Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) John Ashton as Chief John Taggart, Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix ©2024.

    John Ashton as John Taggart

    Now a Chief in the Beverly Hills police force (despite, er, being mentioned as retired when John Ashton couldn’t reprise the role in the third movie, though that is addressed here in dialogue), Ashton’s Taggart is still the old grump, even more so now he can actually count as an old grump.

    Neither Ashton nor Reinhold have lots to do, but they’re used as much as they were in the original films –– solid support for the leading man, with entertaining stories of their own.

    Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix © 2024.

    Axel’s estranged daughter is now a hotshot but empathetic lawyer, and in some ways more a chip off the old block than she’d care to admit. Taylour Paige plays well off of Murphy and leans into the role of the daughter who harbors anger towards the man who hasn’t been in touch with her but warms up to the idea of having Axel back in her life. It’s a well-used plotline but doesn’t feel tired.

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott

    Joseph Gordon Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Joseph Gordon Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix © 2024.

    Gordon-Levitt, like Paige, has a fun energy in Murphy’s company, and stands as a watchable character in his own right.

    Final Thoughts

    Kevin Bacon as Captain Grant and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'
    (L to R) Kevin Bacon as Captain Grant and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    There can be a real risk sticking to the playbook with a legacy sequel –– you can be seen as reheating old bits in a desperate attempt to entertain fans of the franchise while trying to attract new ones.

    But the formula functions at an entertaining level with ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’, which targets what works about the franchise and finds organic ways to insert new characters and plot angles. Most importantly, it feels like a ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ movie made by people who respect the previous outings.

    ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the Plot of ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’?

    Detroit Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills. After his estranged daughter Jane’s (Taylour Paige) life is threatened, she and Foley team up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’?

    • Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
    • Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott
    • Kevin Bacon as Captain Cade Grant
    • Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders
    • Judge Reinhold as Lieutenant William “Billy” Rosewood
    • John Ashton as John Taggart
    • Paul Reiser as Jeffrey Friedman
    • Bronson Pinchot as Serge
    Judge Reinhold, Eddie Murphy and John Ashton attend the 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' World Premiere at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on June 20, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
    (L to R) Judge Reinhold, Eddie Murphy and John Ashton attend the ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ World Premiere at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on June 20, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Movies in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Movies On Amazon

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  • First Picture of ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’

    Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop 4.'
    Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley.’ Photo: Empire Magazine.

    Preview:

    • The first image of ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’ has landed.
    • Eddie Murphy stars alongside Taylour Paige and some returning veterans.
    • Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has praised his star and the film itself.

    For a long time there, it looked like a fourth ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ movie might never happen (and some hoped it wouldn’t, given how the third turned into a disappointment for many fans).

    But happen it has, with Netflix backing the latest installment. Eddie Murphy returns to play maverick cop Axel Foley in a new movie named ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley,’ and a planned return for some veteran actors from the franchise.

    And the first image from the movie is now online via Empire magazine’s site.

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    What’s the story of ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’?

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Joining the current trend of “legacy sequels” (think ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ or David Gordon Green’s ‘Halloween’ and ‘Exorcist’ movies, which follow the same character years later), ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’ will pick up the story of Murphy’s officer Foley, whom in his original film, swapped the tough streets of Detroit for the sunnier climes of Los Angeles –– but still found plenty of challenges and a serious law enforcement culture clash.

    These days, we’d expect Axel to be a little more low-key, though we doubt he’ll have lost his smarts and wit. And with some veteran cast members also returning, it’ll be a shot of nostalgia for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ fans, even if some will worry it can’t live up to the first film in particular.

    Taylour Paige is playing Foley’s criminal defense attorney daughter, who pulls her dad into a California-based case –– where he’ll cause issues for Kevin Bacon’s LAPD special-unit officer, and team up with a new partner, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

    According to producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Gordon-Levitt’s character essentially being stuck with Axel, and they are “hilarious” together.

    Who else in in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’?

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, John Ashton as John Taggart and Judge Reinhold as William "Billy" Rosewood in 'Beverly Hills Cop II.'
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, John Ashton as John Taggart and Judge Reinhold as William “Billy” Rosewood in ‘Beverly Hills Cop II.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    In addition to the people mentioned above, the cast includes the returning likes of Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, John Ashton and Bronson Pinchot.

    Also aboard? New faces Patricia Belcher, James Preston Rogers and Suzanne Ford.

    Related Article: Beverly Hill Cop 4: Mark Molloy to Direct Eddie Murphy in Long-Gestating Sequel

    What has happened with the new ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ movie so far?

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop II.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop II.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The fourth movie is something that originated back in the 1990s when Murphy set up a version at original studio home Paramount via his production company. It never got past the development stage but pinged the radar again in 2006 when Jerry Bruckheimer –– who produced the first three –– announced that he was trying to get the fourth made.

    Fellow super-producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura stepped in after that, and the project went through a variety of script re-writes, including work from Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

    Yet nothing seemed to be solved on the writing side, and in 2011, the announcement came that the movie was being thrust back into development jail in favor of a spin-off TV series for CBS that would have seen ‘Percy Jackson’ actor Brandon T. Jackson play Axel Foley’s son, Aaron.

    ‘The Shield’s Shawn Ryan came aboard to produce the show, which cast Kevin Pollak and David Denman, with Barry Sonnenfeld agreeing to direct the pilot.

    Sadly, for the small screen version, CBS passed on the pilot, and it returned to the ether.

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Lisa Eilbacher as Jeanette "Jenny" Summers and Judge Reinhold as William "Billy" Rosewood in 'Beverly Hills Cop.'
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Lisa Eilbacher as Jeanette “Jenny” Summers and Judge Reinhold as William “Billy” Rosewood in ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    After that flame-out, Paramount pushed ahead with the movie again, bringing Brett Ratner back in and having Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec write a new script draft. Though it got as close as securing tax credits for shooting in Detroit and landing a March 25, 2016, release date, it was shut down because of script concerns and Ratner left it like a sinking ship.

    But Paramount remained committed, hiring ‘Bad Boys for Life’ co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (though this was on the back of their indie movie work and before they made the latest ‘Bad Boys’), pushing the movie back into pre-production.

    Murphy announced that the movie would shoot once he finished work on ‘Coming 2 America’, but it never materialized.

    In 2019, Paramount licensed the movie to Netflix, intending to have the streaming service make the fourth and a potential fifth entry. El Arbi and Fallah left post-‘Bad Boys’ to focus on ‘Batgirl’ (and we all know what happened there) and the potential movie sat on the shelf once more.

    And then, in April of last year, it was revealed that director Mark Malloy would make his feature directorial debut after cutting his teeth on commercials.

    Producer Jerry Bruckheimer on Eddie Murphy’s return and the movie itself

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Here’s Bruckheimer talking up his star to Empire:

    “Anytime he walks on set, you never know what you’re going to get. And it’s always pretty brilliant. Every day he’s there throws you back to the ‘80s.”

    And here’s the producer discussing the film’s tone:

    “It’s about the emotion,” he states. “No matter how funny it is, how much great action it has, it’s all about the heartstrings.”

    When will ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’ be on Netflix?

    The movie doesn’t have a set release date yet, but we’re told it’ll be on the streaming service in 2024.

    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop II.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop II.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’:

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  • Kevin Bacon Joins the New ‘Beverly Hills Cop’

    Kevin Bacon as Fred Snr. in 'One Way.'
    Kevin Bacon as Fred Snr. in ‘One Way.’

    After years in a development holding cell, the latest ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ movie, known as ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’, is finally in production. And, according to Deadline, Kevin Bacon is the latest recruit for the ensemble.

    The cameras have been rolling for a while now, with Mark Molloy directing, working from the most recent draft of the script by Will Beall. Details on the story at this point are unknown right now, but you’ve got to figure it’ll see Eddie Murphy’s back in action, still pissing off people in power while getting the job done, even if he is a little more senior himself these days.

    We’ve a feeling that, even if he has been promoted up the ranks, he’s the same old Axel. And use of the character’s name in the title has us wondering if, like Tom Cruise’s Maverick, he’ll be sticking to his same old rank, but able to offer the benefit of his wisdom to others.

    The cast for the long-anticipated fourth ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ movie is a mixture of veterans and new franchise faces, of which Bacon falls into the latter camp, alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige.

    On the veterans side, mainstay Murphy will see some actors from past ‘Cop’ movies returning here.

    Judge Reinhold is back as Detective Billy Rosewood, while John Ashton returns to play Sgt. Taggart, both of whom were sidekick cops to Murphy’s wisecracking Foley character. Paul Reiser was Foley’s Detroit cop partner, Jeffrey Friedman, in the first two movies. Bronson Pinchot, meanwhile, was sassy art gallery salesman Serge in the first and third.

    Bacon’s character has yet to be detailed, though how much fun would it be for him to play a villain opposite Murphy?

    Kevin Bacon in 'They/Them.'
    Kevin Bacon in ‘They/Them.’ Photo by: Josh Stringer/Blumhouse. Copyright © 2022 Blumhouse Productions, LLC All.

    It has been a busy time recently for Bacon, who has a regular gig on TV drama ‘City on a Hill’ while also finding time for work in movies ‘Space Oddity’, ‘They/Them’ and ‘One Way’.

    Netflix has yet to announce a launch date for the new ‘Beverly Hills Cop’.

    In other casting news, Dave Bautista is teaming back up with his ‘Hotel Artemis’ director Drew Pearce for action thriller ‘Cooler’.

    Again, according to Deadline, the movie will star Bautista as South Beach bouncer Ray Sagona, who is on the brink of finding redemption and getting his family back.

    But when a drug-filled safe is stolen from the super club he works at, Ray is blackmailed into finding it before the Miami PD narcotics bureau comes to retrieve it on Sunday night.

    Now, as his past and present collide in ever-more dangerous ways, Ray must survive an epic 36-hour odyssey across Miami Beach to get that safe back.

    Pearce aims to kick off shooting this one in summer next year.

    Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop III.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 1994’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop III.’
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  • Classic Cast Returning For ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’

    Eddie Murphy as Detective Axel Foley in 1994's 'Beverly Hills Cop III.'
    Eddie Murphy as Detective Axel Foley in 1994’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop III.’

    Though paparazzi set pictures had already leaked their return, it’s good to be able to report that original ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ cast members Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot are all returning for the long-delayed latest entry, ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’.

    Reinhold is back as Detective Billy Rosewood, while Ashton returns to play Sgt. Taggart, both of whom were sidekick cops to Murphy’s wisecracking Foley character. Reiser was Foley’s Detroit cop partner, Jeffrey Friedman, in the first two movies. Pinchot, meanwhile, was sassy art gallery salesman Serge in the first and third.

    The fourth movie is something that originated back in the 1990s when Murphy set up a version at original studio home Paramount via his production company. It never got past the development stage but pinged the radar again in 2006 when Jerry Bruckheimer – who produced the first three – announced that he was trying to get the fourth made.

    Fellow super-producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura stepped in after that, and the project went through a variety of script re-writes, including work from Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

    Yet nothing seemed to be solved on the writing side, and in 2011, the announcement came that the movie was being thrust back into development jail in favor of a spin-off TV series for CBS that would have seen ‘Percy Jackson’ actor Brandon T. Jackson play Axel Foley’s son, Aaron.

    ‘The Shield’s Shawn Ryan came aboard to produce the show, which cast Kevin Pollak and David Denman, with Barry Sonnenfeld agreeing to direct the pilot.

    Sadly, for the small screen version, CBS passed on the pilot, and it returned to the ether.

    Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop III.'
    Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 1994’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop III.’

    After that flame-out, Paramount pushed ahead with the movie again, bringing Brett Ratner back in and having Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec write a new script draft. Though it got as close as securing tax credits for shooting in Detroit and landing a March 25, 2016, release date, it was shut down because of script concerns and Ratner left.

    But Paramount remained committed, hiring ‘Bad Boys for Life’ co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (though this was on the back of their indie movie work and before they made the latest ‘Bad Boys’), pushing the movie back into pre-production.

    Murphy announced that the movie would shoot once he finished work on ‘Coming 2 America’, but it never materialized.

    In 2019, Paramount licensed the movie to Netflix, intending to have the streaming service make the fourth and a potential fifth entry. El Arbi and Fallah left post-‘Bad Boys’ to focus on ‘Batgirl’ and the potential movie sat on the shelf once more.

    Commercials director Mark Molloy came aboard in April this year, and the movie has progressed well since then, with cameras currently rolling and the cast expanding to include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige and Michael Camp.

    The script for the film – which took a page from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s playbook with its legacy-referencing title – comes from Will Beall, Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec.

    We don’t yet know the plot for this one, and ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley’ doesn’t have a release date (be it in theaters or straight to Netflix) just yet. At least it’s happening!

    Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop
    Eddie Murphy in 1984’s ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’
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