NEED TO KNOW
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Eddie Murphy confirmed during an interview on the Today show that he will star in a reboot of The Pink Panther franchise as Inspector Jacques Clouseau
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Steve Martin most recently portrayed the iconic detective in 2006’s The Pink Panther and a 2009 sequel, and Peter Sellers originated the part in several comedies made in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s
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“Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian,” Murphy said, when asked if his Clouseau will be French
Eddie Murphy has a new franchise on his hands.
The actor, 64, revealed during an interview with the Today show that aired Monday, July 28, that he will star in a new The Pink Panther movie while promoting his new action-comedy The Pickup.
“I’m getting ready to do a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic. I’m getting ready to do George Clinton,” Murphy said. “[I’ve] already started Shrek 5. And I’m going to be— I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther.”
“Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau,” he added, after Today co-host Al Roker expressed surprise at Murphy’s announcement.
When Roker asked Murphy whether he will play Clouseau — the detective popularized by Peter Sellers in the franchise’s original movies in the 1960s and ’70s — as French, Murphy laughed and said, “Maybe.” He added, “Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
The Pink Panther movies started with the 1963 comedy, which starred Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, who is tasked with catching a jewel thief who intends to steal a diamond known as “the pink panther.”
Sellers, who died in 1980 at age 54, reprised his role in a number of films in the franchise in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Steve Martin also starred as the character in a 2006 reboot and a 2009 sequel. The franchise is known for its iconic theme song and animated opening sequences, which feature an anthropomorphic pink panther.
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Multiple outlets reported that Murphy was in talks to star in a new Pink Panther movie back in May 2023. As Murphy told the Today show, he is also working on a biopic that would see him portray funk music legend George Clinton, 84, which Variety first reported back in November 2024.
Outside of the upcoming fifth Shrek movie, Murphy also recently told Screen Rant that he will voice his iconic character Donkey in a standalone film that starts production in September.
“Usually I’m the young maverick guy. And now I’m the old voice of reason,” Murphy told the Today show of choosing roles at this point in his life. “When you get our age, you have to pay. If you whip somebody’s ass when you’re our age, you kind of whip your own ass too.”
Murphy most recently appeared in the 2023 holiday movie Candy Cane Lane and 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. After The Pickup begins streaming on Prime Video Aug. 6, Murphy will next appear on the big screen when Shrek 5 hits theaters on Dec. 23, 2026.
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