Eddie Murphy recently discussed his biggest movie regrets, spotlighting three major films he turned down that went on to become huge successes in Hollywood. The revelation, centered around his candid interview promoting his Netflix documentary, adds new dimension to the “Eddie Murphy movie regrets” conversation.
Eddie Murphy Shares Missed Opportunities on Screen
While speaking with AP Entertainment, Eddie Murphy reflected on pivotal moments in his career, specifically mentioning three movies he declined that would become household names. He noted that rejecting a role in Ivan Reitman’s 1984 classic “Ghostbusters” meant watching Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver take the film to iconic status. Murphy also cited the buddy cop comedy “Rush Hour,” which starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and blossomed into a successful film franchise. The third film on his regret list is “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” which became a landmark in animation and live-action storytelling.
“‘Ghostbusters,’ I was supposed to do ‘Ghostbusters,’ didn’t do that, and ‘Rush Hour,”
Eddie Murphy, Comedian, shared during the interview.
“Oh, and ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit.’ Those are my big three ‘Wish-I-would-have-done’ movies … They were huge, giant hits,”
Eddie Murphy, Comedian, continued, capturing his feelings about missing out on these opportunities.
Choices That Shaped His Career Path
Despite these high-profile passes, Eddie Murphy explained that some of his choices led to other iconic roles. Turning down “Ghostbusters” ultimately led him to star in “Beverly Hills Cop,” a film that launched a beloved franchise and remains a highlight of his filmography.
“With ‘Ghostbusters, I did ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ instead. It was do this or that, so it worked out cool,”
Eddie Murphy, Comedian, remarked, revealing that sometimes a missed opportunity can open the door to another milestone.
Discussing “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” Murphy was candid about his reasoning:
“Just sounded ridiculous to me, and I passed on it. And afterwards, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s f—king amazing,’”
Eddie Murphy, Comedian, admitted, underscoring the unpredictable nature of film success and regret.
Legacy in Film and His New Documentary
Murphy’s reflections highlight the turns and twists of his journey as a comedic actor known for his roles in hits such as “The Nutty Professor,” “Dr. Dolittle,” and “Life,” as well as his voice work in the “Shrek” franchise. Despite not appearing in the blockbusters he regrets missing, his place in entertainment history remains secure, thanks in part to his acclaimed stand-up specials and influential comedic style.
Murphy’s interview comes in conjunction with the promotion of his latest documentary, “Being Eddie,” premiering on Netflix. The film delves into his storied career in Hollywood and explores the challenges and triumphs that have defined his path, while also offering insights into moments of second-guessing, such as his famous movie regrets. Fans of Ivan Reitman, Hollywood blockbusters, and Eddie Murphy’s legacy will find his honesty refreshing and his story a testament to the unpredictable nature of show business.
The revealing interview underscores that even legendary careers experience moments of doubt, while reminding audiences that paths not taken are as much a part of a legacy as the hits themselves.
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
