Eddie Murphy is going to think pink.
The comedy legend has revealed that he will take on the role of Inspector Clouseau in a new “Pink Panther” movie.
Murphy, who stars in the upcoming action comedy “The Pickup,” with Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, said playing the iconic character is on the docket of his upcoming projects.
“I’m getting ready to do a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic. I’m getting ready to do George Clinton,” he told Al Roker about playing the funk music legend in an interview that aired July 28 on TODAY.
“(I’ve) already started ‘Shrek 5.’ And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next ‘Pink Panther,'” he continued.
“Wait, what?” asked a surprised Al.
“Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau,” Murphy replied.
“You’re the new Inspector Clouseau?” Al asked.
“Yeah, I’m the new Clouseau,” the “Beverly Hills Cop” star confirmed.
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images British actor Peter Sellers on the set of The Return of the Pink Panther written and directed by American Blake Edwards.
Al then asked if Murphy, 64, will be French in the film, like the character is.
“Maybe,” he coyly responded while laughing. “Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
The role of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau was originated by Peter Sellers in 1963’s “The Pink Panther,” and he appeared in multiple sequels before his death.
Steve Martin took on the role in the 2006 reboot “The Pink Panther,” and reprised the part in “The Pink Panther 2” in 2009.
Marc Ausset-Lacroix/WireImage
Marc Ausset-Lacroix/WireImage Steve Martin as the character Jacques Clouseau filming on the set of “Pink Panther 2” located at the Musee du Petit Palais on Aug. 23, 2007 in Paris, France.
Murphy, who has been linked to Inspector Clouseau for years, also has his eyes on another famous 1960s film, previously saying he’s interested in remaking the 1963 comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.”
Murphy acknowledged his roles have have changed over the years, as he’s shifted away from the wisecracking upstart to a more mature presence.
“Usually I’m the young maverick guy. And now ‘I’m the old voice of reason,” he said, while also pointing out the trouble that comes with doing action films when you’re not so young anymore.
“When you get our age, you have to pay,” he continued. “If you whip somebody’s ass when you’re our age, you kind of whip your own ass, too.”
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have officially become family. The comedian revealed during the Thursday episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show” that his son, Eric Murphy, and Martin Lawrence’s daughter, Jasmin Lawrence, recently eloped – making the Hollywood icons in-law.
