During recent interviews promoting his Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, Eddie Murphy shared candid reflections on the biggest regrets of his career, specifically the major films he decided not to join. Highlighting what he called his
“big three ‘wish I would have done’ movies,”
Murphy’s reflections attracted attention across the entertainment world and reignited discussions about how different Hollywood might have looked if he had made other choices. The topic of Eddie Murphy career regrets became a focal point during his latest media appearances.
The Three Iconic Films Murphy Turned Down
In an Associated Press interview, Murphy revealed the specific films he regrets declining, saying,
“Yeah, there [are] a couple of movies. Ghostbusters, I was supposed to do Ghostbusters. Didn’t do that. And Rush Hour. Didn’t do that. Oh, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Those are my big three ‘wish I would have done’ movies.”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor
Each of these titles went on to become box office sensations. The original Ghostbusters, released in 1984, collected more than $243 million domestically and quickly spawned a sequel. Who Framed Roger Rabbit became a cultural phenomenon, bringing in over $156 million in the U.S. Rush Hour likewise achieved such popularity that it led to two successful sequels.
Murphy Explains the Circumstances Behind His Choices
Reflecting on his decision not to join Ghostbusters, Murphy shared,
“Well, with Ghostbusters, I did Beverly Hills Cop instead. So, it was like, it was do this or that, so it worked out cool.”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor
His reasoning for declining Who Framed Roger Rabbit was even more personal. Murphy remarked,
“It just sounded ridiculous to me, and I passed on it. And, afterwards, I was like, ‘Oh that’s f—ing amazing.’”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor
No quote was given for why Rush Hour did not come together, though Murphy reflected overall on how these missed chances ultimately became defining moments in his storied path.
He summarized the impact of these projects by saying,
“They were huge giant hits, they were giant hit movies.”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor
Success Despite What Might Have Been
Even though Murphy missed the chance to be part of these landmark films, his own legacy has remained influential. He was the star of crowd favorites like The Nutty Professor and Dr. Dolittle, and his dramatic role in Dreamgirls earned him an Academy Award nomination. Lively and inventive, Murphy became known not just as a comedian but as a multi-talented performer with a long list of memorable roles.
Looking Back and Looking Forward in “Being Eddie”
The release of Being Eddie on Netflix on November 12, 2025, gave audiences a more intimate look at Murphy’s life. The documentary spans his beginnings in stand-up as a young comic, his groundbreaking years on Saturday Night Live, and decades in movies and television. Early plans for the project, Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter, involved a return to his stand-up roots, but,
“Then COVID hit, and everything shut down… I was paranoid about COVID.”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor
Upcoming Projects and Murphy’s Enduring Impact
As for what’s next, Murphy is set to voice Donkey once more in the anticipated Shrek 5. He offered a glimpse into the production process, saying,
“You have a headache after a Shrek session. The donkey has a lot of singing… Everybody loves the movie.”
— Eddie Murphy, Comedian and Actor. The new film will see the return of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, and welcomes Zendaya to the cast as one of Shrek and Fiona’s children. Murphy’s influence remains strong, and his personal reflections on career regrets only enhance his reputation as a thoughtful and enduring figure in entertainment.
Eddie Murphy reveals his top three "wish I would have done" movies. His new documentary "Being Eddie" is out now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/WLP5IprhAr
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 13, 2025
