Comedy legend Eddie Murphy has expressed his desire to collaborate with another comedy legend, Martin Lawrence once again. This time on a remake of the iconic 1963 comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Murphy told ET his dream project during the red carpet premiere of Murphy’s latest film, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
Murphy and Lawrence, who have maintained a close friendship over the years, previously shared the screen in Boomerang (1992) and Life (1999).
Stanley Kramer’s It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a beloved slapstick comedy that follows a chaotic race for hidden treasure among a diverse group of characters. The original film boasted an ensemble cast featuring comedy greats like Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, and Jonathan Winters. Murphy’s vision for the remake involves assembling a similarly star-studded cast, featuring top comedians from the past three decades.
Murphy shared his enthusiasm with ET’s Nischelle Turner, saying, “It’s one of my favorite movies of all time and if I do it, if the script turns out right, it’s gonna be a cast of all the who’s who of comedians. Anybody that was funny over the last 30 years is going to be in this movie.”
Adding a personal touch to the professional collaboration, Murphy and Lawrence’s children, Eric and Jasmin, are engaged to be married. This familial bond has only strengthened the actors’ desire to work together again. Murphy humorously addressed the wedding plans, joking about the traditional expectation for the bride’s father to cover the expenses. “Bad Boys is out of the park and Martin has lots and lots of money, so he should be able to pay for a splendid wedding,” he quipped.
In the meantime, you can support both comedic legends, Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, currently in theaters and Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F which will begin streaming on Netflix on July 3.
Boomerang, directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, was released on July 1, 1992, and was a commercial success. The film had a budget of approximately $42 million and grossed $70.1 million domestically, with a worldwide total of $131 million. Its success was bolstered by a star-studded cast including Halle Berry, Robin Givens, and Grace Jones, and its appeal as a romantic comedy featuring a predominantly African American cast.
Life, directed by Ted Demme and released on April 16, 1999, featured Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence in leading roles. The film had a budget of around $80 million and earned $63.8 million at the domestic box office, with a worldwide gross of $73.3 million. Although it did not achieve blockbuster status, Life garnered a dedicated fanbase over time, appreciated for its blend of comedy and drama and the strong chemistry between Murphy and Lawrence. Both films have cemented the duo’s legacy in comedy, paving the way for their potential collaboration on the proposed remake of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.