Eddie Murphy returns to the big screen alongside pal Ben Stiller in the upcoming movie “Tower Heist,” but don’t call it a comeback for the funnyman.
During a Wednesday morning visit to TODAY, Murphy pointed out that while fans may not have noticed some of his recent work, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy.
“People keep saying, ‘It’s been so long!’ But I’ve done stuff that just may not have been ... you know, y’all wasn’t trying to go see it at the movie theater,” Murphy laughed. “I’m being very serious.... ‘It’s been so long!’ Yeah, it has been so long. Where have y’all been?”
In fact, Murphy sees himself as the comedic actor that just keeps getting discovered again and again, as if it’s the first time.
“Every five years they do that with me,” he told TODAY’s Al Roker. “Like now, they’re like, ‘Hey, he’s funny!’ Every five year it’ll be like, ‘Yeah, Eddie Murphy can act!’ The last 30 years, you guys discover me every 5 years. But, you know, at least y’all do.”
Those looking forward to rediscovering Murphy on the small screen can catch him when he hosts the 84th Academy Awards next year.
“I’m looking forward to doing that,” he confessed before sharing what audience almost certainly won’t see during the show. “I’m thinking I’m going to come out in a sky blue tuxedo and urinate (on) myself. That’ll get a lot of chatter. … Then I’m just going to start introducing. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Clint Eastwood.’”
If classic Murphy laughs like that are enough to make fans long for his “Saturday Night Live” days, take heart. Even he looks forward to a possible one-time return.
“When Ben (Stiller) was hosting the show, it was like, ‘Hey, you know, the movie’s coming out — get a little extra buzz for the picture if you hopped on and did it.’ I was like, ‘Hey that’s an idea. I haven’t been on there in so long.’ We just couldn’t make it come together quick enough. But I would love to go back there. “
Until then, catch Murphy when “Tower Heist” hits theaters Nov. 4.
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