Eddie Murphy, the celebrated comedian and actor, has opened up about his notable career regrets in the new Eddie Murphy Netflix documentary, “Being Eddie,” which is now streaming on Netflix. Spanning over four decades of his professional life, the documentary includes candid discussions with Murphy and other major names such as Dave Chappelle, Arsenio Hall, John Landis, Jerry Seinfeld, Pete Davidson, and Chris Rock.
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
Murphy discussed some of his most significant what-ifs during an Associated Press interview tied to the documentary’s promotion, sharing which famous role he most regrets not taking. He stated,
“Ghostbusters, I was supposed to do ‘Ghostbusters.’”
Though Murphy did not specify which lead character he was intended to portray, his connection to the 1984 blockbuster adds an intriguing layer to Hollywood history.
He further explained his decision at the time:
“With ‘Ghostbusters,’ I did ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ instead… It was ‘do this or that,’ so it worked out cool,”
Murphy explained. Despite turning down Ghostbusters, his choice resulted in the hugely successful Beverly Hills Cop franchise, which now has four films and another installment reportedly in development. Meanwhile, Ghostbusters became a cultural phenomenon, spawning sequels and lasting fan devotion.
Other Roles That Got Away
The Coming to America star also named other movies he wishes he had accepted. Alongside Ghostbusters, Murphy listed Rush Hour and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? as missed chances. Speaking of the animated-live action hybrid, he admitted,
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit just sounded ridiculous to me, and I passed on it,”
and then shared,
“And afterwards, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s f*cking amazing.’”
These films ultimately became major hits and established themselves as pop culture staples.
Asked about why these missed roles stand out for him, Murphy had a direct response:
“They were huge, giant hit movies.”
He summed up his biggest missed opportunities:
“those are [his] big three ‘wish [he] would have done’ movies.”
Norbit and No Regrets
Although Murphy expressed regret over passing on Ghostbusters, Rush Hour, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, he maintains a different view about a film regularly criticized by both fans and critics—Norbit. The 2007 film earned harsh reviews, receiving just 9% on Rotten Tomatoes, and some believed it impacted Murphy’s chances for an Oscar win for his acclaimed role in Dreamgirls. Nevertheless, Murphy stands by the film and his creative decisions, stating,
“Norbit came out right after I got that Oscar nomination. There were articles like, ‘How can he get an Oscar [if] he did this?’ They’re two different movies. I wrote Norbit with my brother, Charlie, and we think Norbit is funny.”
He also shared his personal feelings for the work, saying simply, I love Norbit. This attitude underlines how Murphy, after decades in Hollywood, finds perspective even about the lows in his career.
Looking Forward with Perspective
With such a wide-ranging and dynamic career, it’s expected that Eddie Murphy would reflect on past regrets as well as triumphs. The Eddie Murphy Netflix documentary, “Being Eddie,” offers audiences a chance to see these reflections first-hand through interviews with fellow entertainers and Murphy himself. As “Being Eddie” now streams for viewers, fans and newcomers alike are offered insight into the choices, opportunities, and resilience that have shaped Murphy’s enduring presence in the world of entertainment.
Eddie Murphy reveals his top three "wish I would have done" movies. His new documentary "Being Eddie" is out now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/WLP5IprhAr
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 13, 2025
