The Pink Panther is set to return, and this time we have another comedy legend on the cards to take on franchise. Eddie Murphy is apparently in talks to take on the famed bumbling French Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The film is still in deep development according to inside sources, but Murphy’s name has already risen to the top, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The role has been played by four actors already and is most closely associated with actor Peter Sellers (Lolita, Dr. Strangelove) who portrayed the character in five films starting in 1963 to 1978. There was one film in this time period where the role was played by Alan Arkin (Argo, Little Miss Sunshine). There were attempts to revive the franchise in the 80s that fell terribly short, focusing on other characters other than Clouseau.
The character was most recently revived in 2006 and 2009 with comedy legend Steve Martin taking over the role. Though both of the films were critically panned, the first film, at least, was a box office success. Now, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is planning on creating a CGI/live-action hybrid directed by Jeff Fowler (Sonic the Hedgehog) with Walter Mirisch and Julie Andrews serving as producers. Andrew’s role comes about as she is the widow of Blake Edwards, who directed all the Pink Panther films but one from 1963 to 1993.
This hybrid approach comes about due to the fact the cartoon pink panther, which appeared in the film’s opening credits, became rather famous in his own right, going on to star in many cartoons. The story itself has nothing to do with an oddly colored feline, but rather, the first film revolved around the largest diamond in the world known as the Pink Panther with the inept, bumbling, and oblivious Inspector caught in the middle of a heist.
The upcoming film is said to see the Pink Panther’s live-action crew break him out of his animated prison to do a heist job. The film is still in the early stages of development and there is no hard confirmation as of yet that Murphy will take on the role. Given the actor is considered one of the greatest comedic actors of the last four decades, with such notable roles in films such as Coming to America, Shrek, and, most recently, You People, he would likely make a good fit for the over the top character of Inspector Clouseau.
