By A new rumor connecting Eddie Murphy and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner is making the rounds. While details remain scarce, industry insider Jeff Sneider reports via his blog that the project is a brand-new series for Peacock, developed by Weiner alongside 101 Studios. Notably, the project is neither a reboot nor a continuation of Weiner’s flagship AMC drama.
If realized, the show would mark Murphy’s first starring role in a scripted television series since his legendary Saturday Night Live run in the 1980s. For Weiner, it represents his most prominent TV endeavor since Amazon’s 2018 anthology series The Romanoffs.
Murphy’s Hot Streak Continues
Landing an icon like Murphy would be a massive score for Peacock. While the comedy legend occasionally took extended hiatuses from Hollywood earlier in his career, his recent output has been remarkably steady, featuring hits like Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America, and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. While his heist comedy The Pickup, co-starring Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, drew mixed reactions on Prime Video, Murphy’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with a packed development slate spanning multiple genres.
Animation & Franchises: From Shrek to Pink Panther
On the animation front, Murphy recently wrapped work on Shrek 5, reuniting with Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz alongside franchise newcomers Zendaya, Skyler Gisondo, and Marcello Hernández. He is also set to headline a standalone Donkey spinoff feature centering on his fast-talking, waffle-loving character. Additionally, Murphy is slated to play Inspector Clouseau in director Jeff Fowler’s upcoming live-action/CG hybrid The Pink Panther, which takes an inventive twist on the classic franchise by giving the smooth-talking detective an imaginary pink panther companion who helps solve cases.
Packed Live-Action Slate
His live-action slate is equally robust. Murphy is attached to produce or star in Kyle Newacheck’s action-comedy Playas Ball, which carries a unique “undead” twist. He will also star opposite Eva Longoria in Julianna Baggott’s Attachment Parenting, a comedy following two psychologists whose child-rearing philosophies are put to the ultimate test when they are taken hostage by a crime boss’s dysfunctional family.
Can you see Eddie Murphy anchoring a prestige TV series from the mind behind Mad Men? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
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