Eddie Murphy, a name synonymous with legendary franchises, has exciting news to share! The acclaimed comedian and actor recently announced his role as Inspector Clouseau in an upcoming Pink Panther movie. During an interview with Al Roker on the Today Show, Murphy revealed that while he had initially planned to take a step back from acting, unexpected opportunities came his way.
“I’m gearing up to portray George Clinton in a biopic about his iconic music collective, Parliament-Funkadelic,” Murphy stated. “I’ve also begun work on Shrek 5, and now I’m thrilled to take on the role of Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther film.”
When Roker expressed surprise over how the character would be portrayed, given Clouseau’s traditional French background, Murphy playfully replied, “Well, he definitely has to be French, but there’s room for interpretation. Let’s just say he’s Black, for sure!”
The character of Inspector James Clouseau was first brought to life by Peter Sellers in the 1963 classic The Pink Panther, directed by Blake Edwards. This film features the bumbling detective on a mission to catch a jewel thief aiming to steal the priceless Pink Panther diamond. Clouseau, a comedic take on Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, has been portrayed by several actors over the years, including Alan Arkin, Roger Moore, and Steve Martin in the 2006 reboot and its 2009 sequel. The character has even made appearances in various animated series centered around the beloved Pink Panther.
Murphy’s connection to the Pink Panther franchise dates back to reports from earlier this year, and fans are eagerly anticipating his unique take on this iconic character. Stay tuned for more updates on Eddie Murphy’s exciting projects!
