In the highly anticipated return of Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” the film takes on a special familial twist with the involvement of Murphy’s daughter, Bria, and his son-in-law, Michael Xavier.
During an interview with Al Roker on the Today show, Murphy shared the unique behind-the-scenes dynamics of the movie. Filming for the film included a memorable day right after Bria’s wedding to Michael Xavier in July 2022. Bria, who plays a police officer, has a notable cameo where she arrests her own father on screen.
“She’s the one who arrests me,” Murphy, explained to Al Roker, his new son-in-law, Michael Xavier, is the one tasing him. “In the other scene when I get arrested in the movie, that’s my son-in-law tasing me in the neck.”
Murphy described the experience as surreal, especially since the tasing scene was shot just days after the wedding. “He was on the set, tasing me in my neck. I was like, ‘This is surreal,’ ” Murphy recounted to Roker.
The latest installment in the Beverly Hills Cop series, “Axel F,” sees Foley teaming up with new characters and old friends alike. The official synopsis teases Axel’s return to Beverly Hills to protect his daughter, played by Taylour Paige, from a dangerous conspiracy, with help from Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s new partner and returning characters Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton).
Murphy reflected on the physical demands of reprising his role, admitting to Roker that he is no longer keen on performing stunts. “We were shooting something, and the director [Mark Molloy] said, ‘I want you to come out of this place and run down those steps.’ After we shot it, he was like, ‘Can you come down with more urgency? Faster?’ ” Murphy recalled, laughing, “And I was like, ‘No! I’m not doing anything action. Don’t call me unless you offer me the same kind of s*** you would offer Morgan Freeman.'”
Despite the challenges, Murphy expressed his enthusiasm for continuing his creative work. “I think I will keep being a creative person until the day I die,” he stated. As for the future of Axel Foley, Murphy hinted at more to come, “I hope so, because this movie turned out so good, especially if you grew up watching the [original]. Then you’ll really, really love this new picture.”
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is now streaming on Netflix, bringing both laughter and action while adding a personal touch with the involvement of Murphy’s family.