As a movie enthusiast with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that Eddie Murphy‘s career is nothing short of remarkable. From his humble beginnings on SNL to his rise as a Hollywood heavyweight, it’s been a joy to watch him evolve from a promising comedic talent to a bonafide legend.
It’s common knowledge that Eddie Murphy is renowned as a comedy icon. Throughout his career, he has graced our screens in numerous amusing, memorable films such as Shrek, The Nutty Professor, Mulan, and many more. Even his dramatic role in the 2002 film Dreamgirls was praised, earning him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. To add to this impressive resume, he has also won a Grammy and an Emmy, leaving only two awards – the Oscar and Tony – needed to secure his place in the exclusive EGOT club (comprised of entertainers who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
But what many people don’t realize is that Eddie Murphy came awfully close to stepping outside his comfort zone and playing a famous horror villain. Here’s the story of how Eddie Murphy almost played Candyman.
Eddie Murphy’s Rise to Stardom
Eddy Murphy’s choice to delve into comedy was sparked by comedy legends such as Richard Pryor, Peter Sellers, Robin Williams, and Charlie Chaplin. Similar to other renowned comedians, he kick-started his career on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s. His characters, including a gloomy Gumby and an adult version of the Little Rascals character Buckwheat, catapulted Murphy to stardom. Much of the show’s resurgence at that time is attributed to his casting.
Similarly to numerous accomplished comedians, Murphy capitalized on his success from Saturday Night Live (SNL) and propelled himself into a thriving Hollywood career. His first foray into cinema was the buddy cop action-comedy 48 Hrs., co-starring Nick Nolte. An interesting tidbit is that due to Nolte’s illness, he was unable to host SNL, so Murphy stepped in as the host instead. He is unique among cast members for hosting while still being a regular member. Although 48 Hrs. was popular at the time, it’s not often discussed nowadays. However, the remainder of his ’80s filmography boasts some of Eddie Murphy’s funniest and most memorable movies.
Following a span of approximately 48 hours, Eddie Murphy made an appearance alongside Dan Aykroyd in “Trading Places,” having both been stars on SNL. Immediately following this, he landed what may be his most recognized role as the street-savvy Axel Foley in “Beverly Hills Cop.” This performance led to a series of films based on the character’s success. In the late 80s, he teamed up with the late James Earl Jones for the timeless comedy classic “Coming To America,” which recently received a sequel in 2021. By the 1990s, Eddie Murphy had established himself as a bona fide movie star.
Eddie Murphy Was the First Choice for Candyman, But He Was Too Expensive
During the peak of his fame, Eddie Murphy was thought about for the main character in a lesser-known, eerie supernatural horror movie titled “Candyman.” It’s said that if you utter his name five times while facing a mirror, the spirit of Candyman will appear and take your life, often employing bees as his deadly instrument. The screenplay was inspired by Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,” but Bernard Rose, the writer and director of “Candyman,” relocated the setting from Liverpool to Chicago to showcase the Windy City’s architecture and racial discrimination.
1) Rose’s script garnered a lot of interest within the Hollywood community. The part of the antagonist, Candyman, was initially intended for Eddie Murphy in Rose’s vision. However, the production team found it financially unfeasible to meet his substantial salary demands at that moment.
Murphy’s Unaffordable Price Tag Turned Out to Be a Blessing
After it was determined that Eddie Murphy wouldn’t be available, Rose instead chose Tony Todd to play the character of Candyman. This turned out to be an exceptional choice. Todd’s portrayal of Candyman went on to become a horror icon, particularly when fans learned that Todd had bravely endured 23 bee stings during filming (remember, he was compensated $1,000 for each sting). In fact, it was Tony Todd who created the backstory for the character in the movie; Candyman was subjected to torture by a mob, coated with honey, and ultimately killed by bee stings.
The initial film’s triumph led to a series comprising three follow-ups: “Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh” (1995), “Candyman 3: Day of the Dead” (1999), and the latest “Candyman” (2021). However, as is often the case, none of them quite manage to recreate the enchantment of the original masterpiece. Now over three decades old, “Candyman” has earned its place among horror greats and frequently graces prestigious lists of top horror films.
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2024-10-01 03:31