Comedy icon Eddie Murphy has opened up about the three major film roles he turned down, admitting he still carries regret over these missed opportunities in his legendary career. As one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, Eddie Murphy movie regrets have become part of entertainment lore, especially given how each project went on to critical and commercial success.
Murphy’s Early Paramount Loyalty Limited His Options
At the height of his fame, Murphy was closely tied to Paramount Pictures, fielding lead roles in hits like “48 Hrs,” “Coming to America,” “Trading Places,” and the “Beverly Hills Cop” trilogy. His dedication to the studio was almost exclusive, as he made only one film outside of Paramount between 1982 and 1996. While this exclusive relationship secured him major box office hits, it also limited his choices when it came to competing studios and groundbreaking projects elsewhere in Hollywood.
Looking back, Murphy recognizes that this loyalty may have cost him key parts. For example, despite his impressive box office streak, he was not even approached to play Sam Wheat in Jerry Zucker’s “Ghost.” Only after stars like Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Michael J. Fox, and Patrick Swayze passed on the script did the role finally find its star in Swayze.
Childhood Dreams Denied by Missed Roles
Murphy’s affection for certain genres added sting to his regrets. As a lifelong fan of science fiction, he was enthusiastic when offered a chance to join the “Star Trek” universe with a role in
“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.”
However, the character he was offered was neither central to the film nor would have allowed him to appear on the iconic USS Enterprise, leading Murphy to decline despite his fandom. The opportunity to live out a childhood dream as part of the revered series slipped away.
Career Lows Deepen Past Regrets
Throughout his prolific career, Murphy has been candid about the quality of some of his film choices. After a series of critical and commercial failures, he experienced a downturn and even stepped away from acting for nearly a decade, feeling disillusioned by the lack of strong roles and the prospect of winning a Golden Raspberry (Razzie) over box office acclaim. His subsequent return has mainly involved streaming releases, but despite these challenges, Murphy concedes there are three films he wishes he had done differently.
The Three Big Movies Eddie Murphy Wished He Had Accepted
In a revealing admission, Murphy shared,
“I was supposed to do Ghostbusters, and didn’t do that, and Rush Hour, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit,”
said Eddie Murphy. He elaborated on the magnitude of these decisions by stating,
“Those are my big three, ‘wish I would have done’ movies. They were huge, giant hits. They were giant hit movies.”
Each role went on to help define cinematic eras: “Ghostbusters” became a cultural phenomenon under Ivan Reitman’s direction; “Rush Hour” catapulted Chris Tucker to stardom alongside Jackie Chan, while “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” set new standards for live-action and animation filmmaking. Murphy himself notes that while he had his own reasons for passing on them, these choices stand out as major what-ifs in his storied filmography.
What Could Have Been: The Alternatives to His Choices
Some of Murphy’s choices paid off despite initial uncertainty. For instance, instead of joining “Ghostbusters,” he made “Beverly Hills Cop,” which was the top-grossing film of 1984 in the United States, even surpassing “Ghostbusters” itself. However, his decision to take on “Holy Man” over “Rush Hour” didn’t yield the same results, as Murphy has openly criticized “Holy Man” on several occasions. Regarding “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” it wasn’t just Murphy who passed; stars like Harrison Ford, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Paul Newman also declined. The film ultimately succeeded with Bob Hoskins in the lead, and Murphy’s absence didn’t diminish his standing among fans or industry peers.
How Regret Shapes an Unmatched Hollywood Legacy
Although Murphy’s three major missed roles remain personal disappointments, his influence on Hollywood is undiminished. From his blockbuster successes to his candid acknowledgment of mishaps, Murphy maintains a unique position in entertainment history. With a fortune and legacy secure, he continues to look back with honesty, knowing these regrets are part of the unpredictable journey that is show business. For fans and students of cinema, the story of Eddie Murphy movie regrets adds depth to the lore of an already legendary career, and remains a compelling “what if” in film history.
