During the filming of his latest movies, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and The Pickup, Eddie Murphy has found himself feeling a bit out of sync, noting how his younger co-stars often remind him of his age on set. At 64, Murphy described moments when fellow actors jokingly called him “old man” during fight sequences, catching him off guard as he navigated his evolving role in action scenes.
“When I had fight scenes, during the fight scene, the actors, they were improvising and they were two young guys and both of them said, ‘Come on, old man!’ I almost said cut. I was like, ‘Who are they talking to?’”
Murphy said at The Pickup premiere in Los Angeles.
“It’s like I’m the old guy in the fight scene.”
The veteran actor admitted this experience was strange and unexpected, sharing another instance when a co-star called him a “crazy old man,” to which he responded with surprise. Despite this, Murphy isn’t sure how 64 is supposed to feel, adding,
“I feel like me still – just a little stiffer.”
On-Screen Chemistry and Friendship with Pete Davidson
In The Pickup, Murphy stars alongside Pete Davidson as armored car drivers and guards caught up in a $60 million heist orchestrated by Keke Palmer’s character in Atlantic City. Through their work, Murphy praised Davidson’s energy and quick wit, emphasizing how much he enjoyed collaborating with him.
“I like working with Pete Davidson,”
Murphy remarked.
“I love his energy. He’s really funny and quick, smart, a good actor. I loved it.”
The two actors also found common ground beyond the set. Murphy pointed out various parallels in their lives, including both losing their fathers at eight, being former “Saturday Night Live” cast members, and sharing backgrounds in stand-up comedy.
“We have a lot in common,”
Murphy said.
“Both lost our dads when we were eight, both ‘Saturday Night Live’ alumni, both stand-up comics.”
Davidson expressed his admiration and excitement about working with Murphy, who has been one of his idols.
“I had some imposter syndrome because I was like, ‘This is my idol.’…I feel unbelievably grateful and stoked and blessed to be in this,”
Davidson shared.
Future Projects and Murphy’s Role in the Shrek Franchise
Looking ahead, Murphy is set to reprise his role as Donkey in the upcoming Shrek 5, and he will also star in a new spin-off focused on his beloved character. Filming for this project is scheduled to begin in September.
Murphy does not find it surprising that the Shrek series continues to thrive. He believes that despite previous announcements about concluding the franchise, the films remain popular enough to ensure regular returns.
“Even after they said the last one was the final one, I’m like, ‘No way is this the final one. They’ll wait a few years and it will definitely come back.’ I think they’ll make ‘Shreks’ forever because they work. People love them,”
Murphy explained.
The Broader Impact of Murphy’s Career and Collaborations
Eddie Murphy’s reflections on aging and his connection with Pete Davidson highlight not only personal growth but also the legacy of his long-standing career. Their bonding over shared experiences and mutual respect illustrates how different generations of performers can come together, creating dynamic and memorable collaborations in today’s entertainment landscape.
As Murphy continues to take on new roles and revisit iconic characters, his insights into navigating age and industry changes offer a thoughtful perspective on longevity in Hollywood.
