You Won’t Believe Who Told Eddie Murphy to REJECT a Spike Lee Movie

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Even though Eddie Murphy gained Oscar recognition for his profound performance in Dreamgirls (2006), prior to that, he was primarily famous for his comedic roles which shaped his career and made him one of the top box office stars. It’s uncertain if Murphy harbored any serious dramatic ambitions during the ’90s, but he was advised not to take a role in Spike Lee’s 1992 film, a part that later went to Denzel Washington. The advice came from none other than the legendary Sidney Poitier himself.

In an interview for the Apple TV+ documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” Murphy shared that Poitier cautioned him against starring in Lee’s biopic “Malcolm X.” Originally, Norman Jewison, who had directed Poitier in “In the Heat of the Night,” intended for Murphy to play Alex Haley. However, Jewison was using “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Haley as the basis for the film, but Poitier offered some blunt advice against taking the role, with Washington eventually leading it instead.

In simpler terms, “They discussed casting me as Alex Haley in a film adaptation of Malcolm X’s autobiography. Norman Jewison was the one coordinating it all. They intended to use The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley for the project. At around the same time, I ran into Sidney Poitier at an event, and I mentioned my interest in playing Alex Haley. He responded, ‘You’re not Denzel Washington or Morgan Freeman; you’re a breath of fresh air, so don’t change that!’

‘Malcolm X’ Would Go On to Earn Denzel Washington an Oscar Nomination

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, I found myself intrigued by Spike Lee’s 1992 masterpiece, “Malcolm X,” which he co-wrote with Arnold Perl. Interestingly, Alex Haley, who authored the source material, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” did not have a role in the film. Instead, the spotlight was on Denzel Washington, who delivered an exceptional performance that earned him an Oscar nomination at the 65th Academy Awards.

When asked about this, Sidney Poitier, a legendary actor, commented that I wasn’t Washington or Morgan Freeman. Murphy, reflecting on this statement, admitted he was unsure if it was an insult or a compliment. However, he speculated that it might have been because he was treading in uncharted waters, a new and exciting challenge for both the actor and the director.

To Sidney and the others, my arrival felt rather unprecedented. They lacked a familiar point of reference for me, as they couldn’t offer guidance because I was relatively young at 20 or 21 years old. My audience spanned the mainstream, everywhere, and my films were globally distributed. This was an entirely new experience for them, especially since it involved a young Black individual. Consequently, no one could provide me with useful advice, as things moved swiftly and on a grand scale.

During Murphy’s professional journey, he had previously garnered significant popularity on Saturday Night Live. This early success paved the way for a flourishing film career marked by blockbusters like 48 Hrs, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and Coming to America. While he may not have been recognized as an elite dramatic actor, there was no denying his command over comedy. The vibrant talent that Sidney Poitier acknowledged was undeniably apparent.

Previously underrated, Murphy demonstrated his versatility in the cinematic rendition of the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.” He portrayed the character James (Jimmy) “Thunder” Early, a performance that garnered him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in the same category. Moreover, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, though he didn’t win. However, this film served as a platform to prove that Murphy was capable of more than merely making people laugh.

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2025-04-13 18:36