“Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian,” Murphy said of his take on Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

Eddie Murphy reveals his role in upcoming Pink Panther movie: ‘I’m the new Clouseau’

"Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian," Murphy said of his take on Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

By Mekishana Pierre

Published on July 28, 2025 01:06PM EDT

Leave a Comment

Eddie Murphy; the Pink Panther. Credit:

Chris Haston/WBTV via Getty; DePatie-Freleng Enterprises/Courtesy Everett

Eddie Murphy is thinking pink for his next big role.

While promoting his action comedy *The Pickup* on Monday's episode of the *Today* show, the 64-year-old star revealed that not only will he star in a new *The Pink Panther* movie, but he'll be tackling the iconic role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

Murphy explained that he has a myriad of upcoming projects in the wings, telling *Today *co-host Al Roker: "I'm getting ready to do a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic. I'm getting ready to do George Clinton."

The *Beverly Hills* *Cop *star shared that he's already started production on the long-anticipated *Shrek 5* film — which is currently slated for a Christmas-time release — before revealing his *Pink Panther* role.

"And I'm going to be — I'm Inspector Clouseau in the next *Pink Panther*," he announced casually.

"Yeah, I'm the new Clouseau," he reiterated after Roker was understandably surprised at the reveal.

Eddie Murphy attends the World Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios' 'The Pickup'.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

When Roker asked whether he'll play the famously inept detective as French, Murphy laughed and coyly responded, "Maybe." He added, "Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he's Black. He's Black, for sure."

* *has reached out to Murphy's reps and Amazon MGM Studios for more information.

Eddie Murphy calls return for 'SNL' 50th anniversary 'a trip': 'Everybody was real old'

Eddie Murphy recalls playing dejected wife in 'Nutty Professor 2' erectile dysfunction scene

Murphy's involvement in the Pink Panther franchise has been a long time in the making. In May 2023, multiple outlets reported that the actor was in talks to star in an upcoming reboot of the *Pink Panther* franchise helmed by *Sonic the Hedgehog *director Jeff Fowler. Dan Lin, Julie Andrews, Larry Mirisch and Jonathan Eirich were previously onboard as producers.

Peter Sellers originated the role of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the franchise's original 1963 film *The Pink Panther*, and reprised his role in five sequels before his death in 1980 at the age of 54.

Steve Martin took on the role in the 2006 reboot *The Pink Panther* and its 2009 sequel, *The Pink Panther 2*.

Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau in 'The Pink Panther' (2006).

Doane Gregory/MGM/Columbia

As Murphy told Roker during his visit to the *Today* show, he is also working on a biopic in which he will portray funk music legend George Clinton, 84, which *Variety* first reported back in November 2024.

"Usually I'm the young maverick guy. And now I'm the old voice of reason," Murphy told *Today* of choosing roles at this point in his life. "When you get our age, you have to pay. If you whip somebody's ass when you're our age, you kind of whip your own ass too."

*** Sign up for **'s free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.*****

That doesn't stop Murphy from kicking ass in any of his recent roles. In *The Pickup, *Murphy stars as armored truck driver, Russell, whose truck route with fellow driver Travis (Pete Davidson), is ambushed by a mysterious thief, Zoe (Keke Palmer), who forces the duo to help her rob a casino.

The antagonist's plan has personal consequences for both drivers. Russell is frantically trying to get home in time for his 25th anniversary dinner with his wife (played by Eva Longoria) — whom Zoe seemingly threatens at gunpoint near the end of the trailer — while Travis unwittingly had a one-night stand with Zoe that might have helped her lay the groundwork for the ambush.

"As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-risk danger, clashing personalities, and one very bad day that keeps getting worse," the film's official synopsis reads.**

Directed by Tim Story (*Barbershop*, *Fantastic Four*), *The Pickup* also stars Marshawn Lynch, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, Andrew Dice Clay, and Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i.

*The Pickup* hits Prime Video on Aug. 6.**

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Movies”