Eddie Murphy confirms he'll play Inspector Clouseau in new Pink Panther movie
The Shrek star was first reported to be in talks to take on the iconic character back in 2023, and he has now revealed it's among his upcoming roles.
He told Al Roker on Today: 'I'm getting ready to do a [biopic of] George Clinton, [his music collective] Parliament-Funkadelic. I'm getting ready to do George Clinton.
'I've already started Shrek 5. And I'm going to be — I'm Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther.'
When asked if Clouseau will still be French, Murphy quipped: 'Maybe. Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he's Black. He's Black, for sure.'
Sources previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie is to be a live-action/ CG hybrid.
The original comedy film, The Pink Panther, was released in the US in 1964, and saw the late Peter Sellers play Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
Sellers reprised his role in 1964's A Shot in the Dark as well as The Return of the Pink Panther in 1975, The Pink Panther Strikes Again in 1976, and Revenge of the Pink Panther in 1978.
The Pink Panther told the story of the French police detective as he aimed to catch a jewel thief known as The Phantom, who attempts to steal precious diamond The Pink Panther.
David Niven, Robert Wagner, Claudia Cardinale, and Capucine also appeared in the movie.
A pink, cartoon panther appeared in the animated opening credits, and then starred in several Pink Panther cartoons.
In 2006, Shawn Levy directed a Pink Panther movie reboot, which saw Steve Martin play Inspector Clouseau.
Kevin Kline, Emily Mortimer, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jean Reno also starred in the film.
Martin, Reno, and Mortimer reprised their roles for the 2009 sequel The Pink Panther 2, in which John Cleese replaced Kline as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
25 minutes ago
- West Australian
Rob and Claire Wignall retire Wignalls Winery and cellar door label after 44 years, but say legacy is ongoing
Almost 4½ decades after he helped his parents plant the first vines in the soil of their Walmsley farm, Rob Wignall has called time on one of the Great Southern's most beloved wineries. The lifelong vino aficionado said that Saturday — the last trading day at Wignalls winery and cellar door — was a bittersweet moment for him and his wife, co-owner Claire. 'We made the announcement on Thursday and then on Saturday, the first two hours was insane,' he said. 'We got here 10 o'clock for an 11 o'clock opening, and cars were waiting with about half of Albany here. 'Saturday was easy and tough in that we sold pretty much everything, all the wine, but also I think overall, people were a bit shocked, saying they can't believe it and they're so sad. 'The internal wine industry has been amazing though and we've had a phenomenal response from the community.' Famed not just for its award-winning wines and warm service, Wignalls was known to hold a place in the hearts and calendars of Great Southerners for another reason — its rip-roaring music festival, headlined annually with crowd-drawing acts. Over its 18-year run, Wignalls Vintage Blues Festival hosted artists to the likes of John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, The Waifs, Ash Grunwald, George Thorogood, as well as about 85,000 festival-goers. COVID-related restrictions put a stop to the iconic events in 2020, but Rob counts their successes as a highlight of his career. 'We used to have a road train truck in all the alcohol and have thousands of people packed into the fields,' he said. 'I remember one year we couldn't have fit in another car in the paddock if we tried. 'It was really ingrained here, everybody just set their holidays around to the festival.' Another high point is the dual silver plates representing the titles of 'Australia's best white wine' and 'the best new world wine' won by its white wine at the Japan International Wine Challenge. Though the Wignalls bought the winery outright in 2004, it was Rob's parents who started the venture 44 years ago. His father Bill, an inspired veterinarian with a 'sharp scientific mind', turned his hand to viticulture in 1981 after discovering that Albany experienced the similar temperate climes boasted in the famed French wine region of Burgundy. A spark of innovation lead to him planting vines of chardonnay grapes, which were then still new to Australia, and pinot noir — which had barely been heard of in the country at all. The first vintage of both varieties, bottled in 1984, were award-winning. 'Dad nailed it first try, absolutely nailed it,' Rob said. Sauvignon blanc grapes were added later, as was Rob to the management board, to help run the business in an equal 'three-way democracy' with his father Bill and mother Pat, before taking over when his father fell ill. Dozens of awards — including one marking its cellar door as one of the 25 best in the country — later, the Wignalls carved a path as unstoppable hallmarks of the Great Southern wine industry. Their momentum snagged in 2019 however, when Rob was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. After a few years of treatment, he is 'coming out the back of it' but has decided to take his doctor's advice and slow things down. 'The biggest issue of this disease is it thrives on stress, stress and stress — ask any cancer expert and they'll tell you that,' he said. 'My doctors have suggested now is the right time to avoid stress, because while you're on the improve, look after yourself. 'So this is part of all that sort of stuff I'm now doing: stopped drinking, going to the gym three times a week now, all that sort of crap.' With his wife Claire on the cusp of a career change into adult education, Rob decided now was time to start a new chapter. 'It's just the right time, simple as that,' he said. 'It's quite mixed emotions really, about 50-50 where half is going 'thank God' and the other half of me is going, 'God, have I done the right thing?' 'I honestly don't know but it's the right time for all of us and it's all fallen together so well.' Though the label will be retired, the decades of hard work that constitute the family legacy won't fall by the wayside, with the vineyard set to be leased to Fervor Wines and the cellar door and winery to Paul Nelson Wines. The Wignalls will retain ownership of the business and land where they live and generations of the family — including Bill and Pat — lie resting under the rose gardens. After 44 years, 55,000 vines planted and hundreds of thousands of attendees leaving a glass or two tipsier, Rob said he was happy to see the legacy his family has left in the region continue. 'It's very, very easy to shut down a vineyard, and the vineyard will degrade — what we call mothballing in the industry,' he said. 'Our very first option was to go out and lease the vineyard to people that are capable, people that have the passion and people that have the right mentality, and we've done that with the vineyard and with the cellar door. 'These two Denmark businesses have been selected to keep on going what we've worked on, keep the spirit of it and the legacy and be sort of a third generation moving in to give it some youth and enthusiasm. 'We are very, very happy about that and excited for what Paul and Bianca (Nelson) have in store for the cellar door — which is some really exciting things, that will keep the music going.'
Perth Now
25 minutes ago
- Perth Now
James Van Der Beek was candid with kids over cancer battle
James Van Der Beek was "as honest as possible" with his children about his cancer diagnosis because he didn't want to "confuse" them. The former Dawson's Creek star - who has Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, two, with wife Kimberly - was diagnosed with stage 3 colo-rectal cancer last year and didn't want to hide the news from his broos because "they know" when he's not doing well. Speaking on Today, he said: 'I'm far from an expert, but our approach was just to be as honest as possible, as honest to the degree of their understanding, right? Because they know. "They can sense that Dad's having a tough day. "They know if Dad's in pain. They know, and so by not telling them, I think you're confusing them even more." James has found "a lot of beauty" in his health struggles because of the way his kids have responded. He said: "I have kids making me tea. 'Dad, what do you need?' There's been a lot of beauty that's come out of it, but I would love to save everybody this journey, which is why I'm saying get screened." The 48-year-old actor advised other parents in a similar situation to share the news with their children as they will be surprised by the resilience of youngsters. He said: "When you tell them what you're doing, and you tell them the approach, they can see it and they can feel it, and I think it's also your journey is their journey." At the moment, James is "feeling great" but views battling the disease as a "full-time job". He said: "Today, I'm feeling great, yeah. It's been a journey. There are just so many ups and downs and so many unknowns. Cancer is – I call it a full-time job." James has made a number of changes to his life, including practicing yoga and trying the keto diet and has learned to slow down. He told "[I've been finding] the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job," he tells And he is happy he has continued to work, with a role in upcoming TV series Elle. He said: "The greatest thing about work is a cancer doesn't exist between action and cut. "It was fun to drop in and just have a blast because it's such a great cast, a great production, and everybody out there is really talented."
7NEWS
5 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Liam Neeson gushes over Pamela Anderson amid Hollywood stars' blossoming romance
It turns out, even Liam Neeson can't resist a plot twist. The Taken star, 73, declared he was finished with dating in a candid People cover story last October — but fast-forward nine months, and he's reportedly in the 'early stages' of a romance with co-star Pamela Anderson. According to a source from the set of The Naked Gun, the two are 'enjoying each other's company,' and 'it's sincere — they're clearly smitten.' Their flirtation has been playing out in public, too. On July 29, the pair shared a playful PDA moment during a Today show appearance, feigning surprise after being 'caught' mid-make-out by the cameras. A week earlier, Anderson kissed Neeson's cheek at the film's London premiere. The unexpected couple met filming the upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun (in cinemas August 1), where their chemistry reportedly extended beyond the script. But Anderson insists things stayed 'professionally romantic' during production. 'We had many dinners out with the cast,' she told Entertainment Weekly. 'I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant — so our relationship stayed 'professionally romantic' during filming.' Despite the slow burn, Neeson hasn't held back in his praise for the Baywatch star, telling People in 2024: 'I'm madly in love with her. She's just terrific to work with… funny, no ego, and so easy to be around.' Anderson returned the affection, calling Neeson 'the perfect gentleman' who 'brings out the best in you with respect, kindness, and depth of experience.' Neeson, who was married to actress Natasha Richardson until her tragic death in 2009, has previously dated Barbra Streisand, Brooke Shields, and Helen Mirren. Anderson's high-profile exes include Tommy Lee, with whom she shares two sons — Brandon, 29, and Dylan, 27. The pair appeared together at The Naked Gun's New York premiere on July 28, smiling on the red carpet alongside their respective adult children — a fitting sign, perhaps, of something a little more serious.
