Eddie Murphy & Ama Qamata to Voice the Animated Fantasy “M’Tali: The Everlasting Spring”
Eddie Murphy is set to voice the animated family fantasy M’Tali: The Everlasting Spring alongside South African actress Ama Qamata, known for Blood & Water. The original story is written by Murphy’s daughter, actress Bria Murphy, alongside her husband, Michael Xavier, marking Bria’s feature screenwriting debut.
The story follows Princess Selani of the African kingdom of M’Tali, who longs for adventure while quietly dreading the responsibilities awaiting her as future queen. When a coup separates her from her family and kingdom, she finds herself in the Forbidden Jungle, home to a mysterious family who’ve discovered the legendary Everlasting Spring, a magical water said to preserve youth forever. There, she must contend with her uncle’s ambitions and uncover what truly sustains a kingdom beyond any single artifact. Qamata will voice Princess Selani, while Murphy plays the villain, her uncle Vakoro. The coming-of-age project also includes musical elements.
Michael Xavier, Bria Murphy, Ray Murphy Jr., Autumn Bailey-Ford, and Chris Brew are producing, with the team currently seeking a director and studio or streaming partner.
The project marks Murphy’s first animated film outside the Shrek franchise and Disney’s 1998 Mulan, and his second project working alongside his daughter. Their first collaboration came in 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, where Bria played Officer Renee Minnick, the cop who arrests Murphy’s Axel Foley, while Xavier played the officer who tases him in a separate scene. Bria’s other acting credits include 2016’s The Perfect Match. Qamata is best known for playing Puleng Khumalo in Netflix’s Blood & Water, with additional credits including Gomora, Fight Like a Girl, and Commandos.
Producer Autumn Bailey-Ford, founder and CEO of Autumn Bailey Entertainment, brings additional credits including Netflix’s Color Book, MGM/Amazon’s On a Wing and a Prayer, and the upcoming Barbershop, set for Amazon in 2027.
The project adds to an active stretch for Murphy, who returns as Donkey in Shrek 5, releasing June 30, 2027, and recently starred in Amazon’s action-comedy The Pickup.