As a long-time gamer and animation enthusiast, I’m always intrigued by the intersection of classic cartoons and live-action adaptations. And the resurfaced test footage of Eddie Murphy as Hong Kong Phooey has definitely piqued my interest!
In a fascinating twist of events, actor Eddie Murphy, known for his roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Shrek,” previously lent his voice to the beloved ’70s animated crimefighter Hong Kong Phooey. Recently unearthed are test footage remnants from an abandoned live-action adaptation of the classic Hanna-Barbera series, in which Murphy was slated to star as the live action incarnation of Hong Kong Phooey. This project aimed to employ the same technique used in films like “Sonic the Hedgehog,” merging a CGI character seamlessly within real-world settings.
During the 1970s, when martial arts and Hong Kong films became highly popular in Hollywood, Hanna-Barbera Productions created and aired Hong Kong Phooey on ABC. This potential live action adaptation would be inspired by the beloved animated series. The show introduces viewers to Penrod “Penry” Pooch, an unassuming dog who holds down a job as a janitor at the local police station.
As a gamer, I might rephrase it like this: Although Penry appears to be bumbling and comical, he’s actually the hidden hero Hong Kong Phooey. In my spare time, I put on the cloak of crime-fighting using techniques from “The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu.” With my loyal sidekick Spot, a cat, by my side, we take on wacky criminals as the top superhero duo.
Below, you’ll find the live-action test footage of Hong Kong Phooey, kindly shared by X via their Twitter handle @NeverMadeFilm.
Alex Zamm was set to lead the project’s direction, with Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove producing. In those days, they highly commended Murphy for his role, and you can assess his fittingness yourself by checking out the trial footage that emerged in 2012.
“We’re thrilled that Eddie Murphy has been cast as Hong Kong Phooey. His impact on cinema is immeasurable, from his roles in beloved family films like Shrek and Dr. Dolittle. We can’t wait to see him bring this iconic character to life once again.”
Eddie Murphy Has Been Reviving Some of His Best-Loved Characters
Although it’s uncertain if a “Hong Kong Phooey” adaptation will ever come to fruition, Eddie Murphy has been bringing back some of his iconic characters recently. The talented comedian and actor recently reprised the part of detective Axel Foley in the much-anticipated sequel, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Directed by Mark Molloy and written by Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten, this film features Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Bronson Pinchot, and Paul Reiser reprising their original roles. The new cast members include Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mark Pellegrino, and Kevin Bacon.
In the next chapter, Axel goes back to Beverly Hills when his daughter’s life is under danger. To everyone’s surprise, the sequel received strong criticism reviews with a rating of 66%, and an impressive audience score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In the upcoming movie “Shrek 5,” scheduled for release on July 1, 2026, Murphy will once again appear as Donkey, joining Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. The film will be helmed by director Walt Dohrn, with Brad Ableson serving as co-director. Michael McCullers wrote the screenplay for this production.
If you’re eager to watch it right away, stream “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” on Netflix instead of waiting.
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2024-07-20 17:01