Eddie Murphy opens up about returning as Axel Foley at 63 in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’

Eddie Murphy discussed his return to the role of Detroit detective Axel Foley in the upcoming fourth installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop" series, titled "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F," during an appearance on the Today Show. The new film is set to stream on Netflix starting July 3.

Murphy, now 63, acknowledged the physical challenges of reprising a role he first played nearly 40 years ago. "It felt like old man," Murphy quipped to Al Roker. "I did Beverly Hills Cop when I was 21, and I’m 63 now." He elaborated on his preference to avoid stunts, sharing an anecdote from the set. "We were shooting something and the director said, ‘I want you to come out of this place and run down those steps.’ After we shot and he’s like, ‘Can you come down with more urgency? Faster?’ And I was like, ‘No!'"

In "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F," Murphy's character returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened. He teams up with a new partner, Detective Bobby Abbott (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and reunites with old friends John Taggart (John Ashton) and Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to uncover a conspiracy.

Reflecting on his iconic role, Murphy explained, "Beverly Hills Cop was my first movie that I’m the lead in. If I travel overseas they call me Axel Foley." He described the character as an "everyman" who is relatable because he rises to the occasion without being a superhero or super-cop. "I think that’s why people like it. And more than anything, he’s funny," Murphy said.

Murphy humorously emphasized his reluctance to perform action scenes, stating, "I’m not doing anything action. Don’t call me unless you offer me the same type of shit you would offer Morgan Freeman." 

The original "Beverly Hills Cop" film debuted in 1984, followed by sequels in 1987 and 1994.