Movies News Talk
With Eddie Murphy and Jerry Bruckheimer already developing concepts for *Beverly Hills Cop 5*, the much-loved Action Comedy series is finally getting set for its comeback. Murphy is back as Axel Foley in the forthcoming fourth film, *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*, following years of halted development and cancelled follow-ups. After his daughter's life is under danger, Foley returns to the titular California city to assist her, therefore putting him against a group of dishonest police officers.
Murphy's cast for the *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* contains returning stars Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige and Kevin Bacon. Before the fourth film came out, *Variety* chatted with Murphy and Bruckheimer to go over the release of *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*. Eventually the discussion shifted to the possible future of the franchise, with both confirming that they are developing ideas for a fifth film and the producer specifically saying they had "a couple of stories in mind".
With the film hanging a long time in development hell, many eyes are not only on whether *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* will be worth the wait, but can also put the franchise back on a positive road. Though the 1984 original was the highest-grossing film of its year and received great praise, its successors suffered declining returns both with reviews and at the Box Office; the third movie in particular turned Murphy off from the franchise.
Given *Beverly Hills Cop* is still one of Murphy's most beloved films, there is much expectation for the forthcoming fourth one particularly considering his returning co-stars now onboard. Fascinatingly, it also coincides with several of Bruckheimer's earlier shows gaining fresh popularity with modern viewers, especially that of *Top Gun* following *Maverick*'s explosive success and *Bad Boys* with both *For Life* and *Ride or Die*. After an early downturn, the latter of which has even revived the Summer Box Office for 2024 and boasts the greatest audience *Rotten Tomatoes* score for the buddy cop series.
Though *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F*'s release won't be getting the same theatrical treatment as *Bad Boys* or *Top Gun*, there is still plenty of chance for it to establish new footing as a franchise on Netflix and build up *Beverly Hills Cop 5*. From *Cobra Kai* to *Chicken Run*, the streamer has previously resurrected many past properties following their cancellements and given others new life after some time away from the screen. Should *Axel F* have the same degree of success as these others, Murphy might simply have Axel Foley around for years to come.
*Beverly Hills Cop* seems to have a brighter future than ever. The venerable action comedy is primed for a comeback when a new generation of viewers discovers it on Netflix. Should *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* be able to reproduce the enchantment of the original, it would open the path for a new generation of *Beverly Hills Cop* films, therefore allowing Eddie Murphy and Jerry Bruckheimer an opportunity to leave a legacy spanning decades.
Audiences have been delighted by the *Beverly Hills Cop* franchise since the 1980s. Axel Foley, a streetwise Detroit police officer visiting Beverly Hills to look into the murder of his closest buddy, is followed in the series. Combining action, humor, and emotion, *Beverly Hills Cop* became a global phenomenon pushing Eddie Murphy's career into unprecedented heights.
The franchise has had its ups and downs; the sequel reviews are not all that consistent. Still, *Beverly Hills Cop* is a cherished series, and the recent comeback is evidence of its continuing attraction. The franchise is primed for a fresh chapter with *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* scheduled for Netflix and the prospect of *Beverly Hills Cop 5* still in development.
Axel Foley's *Beverly Hills Cop* is the fourth popular comedy film Eddie Murphy stars in. Along with returning cast mates Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and Bronson Pinchot as Serge, Murphy reprising as Axel Foley in the Netflix flick The Sequel stars Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as additional new characters as well.
Axel F. *Beverly Hills Cop* notes the comeback of a cherished series that has delighted viewers for decades. While honoring the vintage Movies that made the franchise a worldwide phenomenon, the movie promises to offer a fresh interpretation of the venerable Axel Foley. Fans of the series will surely love *Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* for Eddie Murphy's charm, Jerry Bruckheimer's producing magic, and possibility for a fifth film.