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Who Was The Original Choice For The Beverly Hills Cop?

by Barbara Miller

Beverly Hills Cop is a classic 1984 action-comedy film directed by Martin Brest and starring Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a Detroit police detective who travels to Beverly Hills to solve the murder of his best friend. However, the original choice for the lead role was not Eddie Murphy, but rather Sylvester Stallone. In this article, we will explore the story behind Stallone’s involvement in the project, why he ultimately left the film, and how Eddie Murphy became one of the biggest stars of the 1980s.

The Early Days of Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop was originally conceived as a serious action film, with a script by Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie Jr. The film was set to star Sylvester Stallone as the lead character, Axel Foley, a tough Detroit cop who travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend. The script was written with Stallone in mind, and the filmmakers believed that his star power would help sell the film to audiences.

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Stallone’s Involvement in the Project

Stallone was initially interested in the project and worked with the writers to develop the script. However, Stallone soon began to have creative differences with the filmmakers over the tone of the film. Stallone wanted to make the film more of a traditional action movie, with a focus on gunfights and car chases. The filmmakers, however, wanted to make the film more of a comedy, with a focus on the fish-out-of-water aspect of Foley’s character.

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Stallone’s Departure from the Project

As the creative differences between Stallone and the filmmakers continued to mount, Stallone ultimately decided to leave the project. Stallone later claimed that he left the project because he felt that the script was not good enough, and that he did not want to be associated with a film that he did not believe in. However, some insiders speculated that Stallone left the project because he was unhappy with the direction that the filmmakers were taking the film. Additionally, there were rumors that Stallone had a falling out with the film’s producer, Don Simpson, after Simpson made comments about Stallone’s personal life.

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Eddie Murphy’s Casting

After Stallone left the project, the filmmakers began searching for a new lead actor. They considered a number of actors, including Mickey Rourke, Al Pacino, and Richard Pryor, before settling on Eddie Murphy, who was then a rising star on Saturday Night Live. Murphy’s casting was a departure from the original vision for the film, as he was known primarily as a comedian and not an action star. However, the filmmakers believed that Murphy’s charisma and comedic timing would make him a perfect fit for the role of Axel Foley.

Murphy’s Performance in Beverly Hills Cop

Murphy’s performance in Beverly Hills Cop was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. His portrayal of Axel Foley was a perfect blend of comedy and action, and he brought a fresh energy to the character that Stallone may not have been able to match. Murphy’s star power helped propel the film to massive box office success, grossing over $300 million worldwide and launching Murphy’s career as a leading Hollywood actor. Murphy’s performance was also notable for his improvisational skills, as he added many of his own lines to the script.

Stallone’s Reaction to the Film

After the release of Beverly Hills Cop, Stallone publicly criticized the film and claimed that he had been right to leave the project. Stallone claimed that the film was not true to his vision for the character, and that he had been unhappy with the comedic direction that the filmmakers had taken. However, many critics and fans felt that Stallone was simply bitter about the success of the film, and that his criticisms were unfounded. Some even speculated that Stallone’s criticisms were an attempt to distance himself from the film, as he may have regretted his decision to leave the project.

Legacy of Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop remains one of the most beloved films of the 1980s, and Eddie Murphy’s performance as Axel Foley is widely regarded as one of the best of his career. The film’s success helped establish Murphy as a leading Hollywood actor, and paved the way for his future success in films like Trading Places, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor. The film also spawned two sequels, Beverly Hills Cop II and Beverly Hills Cop III, although neither film was able to match the critical or commercial success of the original. The film’s legacy also extends beyond its box office success, as it helped to redefine the action-comedy genre and paved the way for future films like Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour.

Conclusion

The story of Sylvester Stallone’s involvement in Beverly Hills Cop is a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood. While Stallone may have been the original choice for the lead role, it was ultimately Eddie Murphy’s performance that made the film a success. Beverly Hills Cop remains a beloved classic of 1980s cinema, and Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of Axel Foley will always be remembered as one of the most iconic performances in film history. The film’s legacy continues to be felt in Hollywood today, and the story of Stallone’s departure from the project serves as a reminder of the importance of creative collaboration and the challenges of bringing a film to the big screen.

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