Few entertainers have shaped modern comedy like Eddie Murphy. From his trailblazing days on Saturday Night Live to box office domination in Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor, Murphy’s name became synonymous with charisma, timing, and boundary-breaking humour. Yet, even icons have moments of doubt.
In his new Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, Murphy opens up about his personal life, creative choices, and the roads not taken — including three blockbuster comedies he famously turned down: Ghostbusters (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Rush Hour (1998).
“They were huge, giant hits,” Murphy admitted in an interview with AP Entertainment. “I look back and think, yeah… maybe I should’ve done those.”
But as the documentary and Murphy’s reflections reveal, sometimes saying “no” leads to exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Eddie Murphy’s Career in Context: From Stand-Up to Stardom
Before the offers for cinematic classics began pouring in, Murphy’s rise was meteoric. By age 21, he was already a household name on Saturday Night Live, reviving the show with his sharp wit and fearless performances. Hollywood came calling fast, and by 1984, he was headlining blockbusters.
| Year | Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Joined Saturday Night Live | Became the show’s breakout performer |
| 1982 | Starred in 48 Hrs. | Broke barriers for Black comedic leads in action films |
| 1984 | Beverly Hills Cop released | Became a global superstar |
| 1988 | Coming to America | Cemented his comedic versatility |
| 2019 | Dolemite Is My Name | Earned critical acclaim for dramatic depth |
Murphy’s early success gave him the freedom to choose — but with choice comes the burden of hindsight. And as he acknowledges today, not every pass felt wise in the long run.
The Movies Eddie Murphy Turned Down — and Why?
In Being Eddie, Murphy candidly lists three major films he regrets walking away from:
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- Rush Hour (1998)
Each film became a generational landmark — and each one might have looked entirely different with Murphy at its center.
1. Ghostbusters (1984): The Blockbuster That Got Away
During the early 1980s, Murphy was reportedly offered a role in Ghostbusters, possibly that of Winston Zeddemore, eventually played by Ernie Hudson. Director Ivan Reitman later denied formal casting, but Murphy himself has confirmed he was approached.
The decision came down to a scheduling conflict: Beverly Hills Cop and Ghostbusters were both in development, and Murphy chose the former. The result? Beverly Hills Cop became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $316 million worldwide and launching one of cinema’s most successful franchises.
“It wasn’t a bad choice,” Murphy reflected in a later interview. “I just didn’t realize Ghostbusters would become Ghostbusters.”
Ironically, both films premiered in 1984 and went on to define 1980s comedy — but in entirely different ways.
2. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): The ‘Ridiculous’ Concept That Became Genius
Murphy has admitted that when first pitched Who Framed Roger Rabbit, he simply didn’t get it.
“I was like, ‘Cartoons interacting with people? That sounds ridiculous,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Years later, after watching Robert Zemeckis’ groundbreaking hybrid of live-action and animation, Murphy realized his mistake.
The role of Eddie Valiant, a hard-boiled private eye drawn into a zany conspiracy, ultimately went to Bob Hoskins, whose grounded performance became a masterclass in balancing absurdity with emotional truth.
| Film | Lead Actor | Box Office | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Bob Hoskins | $329 million worldwide | 4 Oscars (incl. Visual Effects) |
It’s difficult to imagine Murphy — known for his explosive energy and improvisation — channeling the restrained melancholy Hoskins brought to the part. The film’s delicate tonal balance might have been upended by Murphy’s star power, making his absence, ironically, part of the movie’s perfection.
3. Rush Hour (1998): The Missed Buddy-Cop Renaissance
Perhaps the most surprising of Murphy’s regrets is Rush Hour, the 1998 buddy-cop hit that made Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan an iconic duo.
Director Brett Ratner reportedly approached Murphy early in development. Still, he passed — likely feeling the formula was too close to films he’d already made, such as 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop.
Murphy’s instincts weren’t wrong. The film’s success depended on the electric contrast between Tucker’s fast-talking brashness and Chan’s disciplined physical comedy. Murphy’s towering charisma might have overwhelmed that delicate dynamic.
“Chris and Jackie had chemistry you can’t manufacture,” said Ratner in a 2021 interview. “Eddie was a legend already — we needed a wild card.”
The film grossed $244 million worldwide, spawning two sequels and marking the beginning of a new era in action-comedy.
Why Murphy Was Better Off Saying No?
Eddie Murphy’s absence from these films underscores a larger truth: he was already his own genre.
In Ghostbusters or Roger Rabbit, his comedic dominance would have overshadowed ensemble chemistry and experimental storytelling. Rush Hour might have turned into Beverly Hills Cop 4 years too early.
| Film | Why It Worked Without Murphy |
|---|---|
| Ghostbusters | Relied on group chemistry over star dominance |
| Roger Rabbit | Needed emotional realism, not showmanship |
| Rush Hour | Depended on underdog dynamic between leads |
By saying no, Murphy allowed these movies to find their perfect balance — and preserved his own mythic individuality as a performer who could define his own space rather than fit into someone else’s.
Film historian Dr. Leonard Marks summarized it best:
“Eddie Murphy didn’t need to be in every hit to shape the culture around them. His influence is visible in the DNA of all three films he turned down.”
Lessons From “Being Eddie”: Regret, Reflection, and Reinvention
Now 64, Murphy stands at an introspective crossroads. His return to form in Dolemite Is My Name (2019) and his reprisal of Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F prove he’s still capable of reinvention.
Being Eddie captures a man both grateful and wistful — aware that every missed opportunity helped define the career he did have. The documentary highlights his evolution from youthful superstar to thoughtful veteran, at peace with the unpredictable rhythms of fame.
“You learn from what you don’t do as much as what you do,” Murphy muses in the film. “That’s part of the journey.”
Conclusion
Eddie Murphy’s regrets over these lost opportunities reveal something deeper — not just about career choices, but about creative destiny. Sometimes, the best decisions aren’t about chasing hits, but about trusting one’s path.
Had he joined Ghostbusters, Roger Rabbit, or Rush Hour, he might have changed those movies — but they might also have changed him. Instead, his choices defined a career of singular influence, one built on instinct, individuality, and fearless originality.
In the end, Murphy didn’t need those films to cement his legacy. He was already — and remains — Eddie Murphy, the rare performer who turned every “what if” into another unforgettable story.
FAQs
He mentioned three: Ghostbusters (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Rush Hour (1998).
He chose to star in Beverly Hills Cop instead, which was filmed around the same time.
He was considered for Eddie Valiant, the detective played by Bob Hoskins.
Yes. His star power might have disrupted the film’s buddy-cop balance between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
The Netflix documentary delves into Murphy’s personal reflections, career highs and lows, and lessons from decades in the entertainment industry.
