Over two years after we first reported that Eddie Murphy was in talks to join the Pink Panther reboot, the veteran comic has now confirmed the news: he’ll be playing none other than Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
Murphy shared the update in an interview with Al Roker on TODAY, saying simply, “Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau.” When asked whether the famously French detective would stay French, Murphy joked, “Maybe. Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
This marks the official greenlight on a franchise we first broke news on in 2023, when Murphy entered early negotiations to star in the reboot from MGM, now under Amazon’s ownership. The film is expected to blend live-action with animation — a nod to the original animated Pink Panther character — and reintroduce audiences to the chaotic brilliance of Clouseau, the detective whose instincts are as bizarre as they are effective.
The role was originated by Peter Sellers in 1963’s The Pink Panther and later reprised by Steve Martin in the early 2000s. While Clouseau has always leaned into farce, each iteration has brought a new layer of charm — and with Murphy now leading, that tradition is poised for a bold, comedic refresh.
Murphy’s casting is both fitting and long overdue. His mastery of physical comedy, accent work, and absurdist timing — seen in everything from Beverly Hills Cop to The Nutty Professor — makes him uniquely suited for Clouseau’s blend of foolishness and finesse.
And it’s just one of many major moves Murphy is making this year.
The announcement comes in the middle of a packed slate for the Hollywood legend. He’s voicing Donkey once again in Shrek 5 — now confirmed to also feature Zendaya — and will lead a standalone Donkey spinoff as well. He’s starring in The Pickup, a romantic heist comedy co-starring Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, and Eva Longoria, dropping on Prime Video August 6. He’ll also step into the platform shoes of George Clinton in an upcoming biopic from Dreamgirls director Bill Condon.
Not to mention Eddie, the Netflix documentary about his life and career coming in 2025.
In our original report, Murphy’s involvement was described as a perfect match for the tone and legacy of Pink Panther, and now that it’s confirmed, fans can finally get ready to see Clouseau like they never have before.
Read our original 2023 article here: Eddie Murphy in Talks to Lead New Pink Panther Film
Stay tuned for more updates on casting, production, and release.