Eddie Murphy in Talk to Star in "Pink Panther" Reboot

Award-winning actor and comedian Eddie Murphy is in talks to star as Inspector Clouseau in MGM's upcoming "Pink Panther" reboot.

“Sonic the Hedgehog” filmmaker Jeff Fowler directs the reboot from a script by Chris Bremner (“Bad Boys for Life,” “The Man From Toronto”).

Rideback’s Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich serve as producers alongside Larry Mirisch and Julie Andrews.

“The Pink Panther” franchise began with the 1963 comedy movie starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Sellers would go on to reprise the role in 1964’s “A Shot in the Dark”, 1975’s “The Return of the Pink Panther”, 1976’s “The Pink Panther Strikes Again”, and 1978’s “Revenge of the Pink Panther.” The role has also been played by Alan Arkin, Roger Moore, and Steve Martin.

The IP extends to books, video games, and animated series based on the bumbling French police detective and the titular character, which started as only an animated character in an opening sequence. 

The Pink Panther refers to the name of a valuable pink diamond at the center of a heist in the original movie.

Murphy most recently starred in Netflix’s “You People” alongside Jonah Hill, Lauren London, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  

He is best known for leading comedy classics “The Nutty Professor” and “Coming to America”, as well as voicing Donkey in the “Shrek” franchise.