Development of a fourth entry in the franchise had been going on since the mid-90s, long before Netflix landed the rights to produce Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley. However, the project would see various writers and directors come and go before Paramount agreed to license the property to Netflix, allowing Murphy and famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer to move forward with Beverly Hills Cop 4.
RELATED: New Sonic Prime Trailer From Netflix Will ‘Shatter Your World’
Earlier this summer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Page joined the cast of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley as newcomers. Now, Deadline reports that Reinhold and Ashton will reprise their respective roles as Detective Billy Rosewood and Sgt. Taggart. In the original Beverly Hills Cop, Reinhold’s Billy Rosewood was something of an antagonist to Axel Foley and the former partner of Reiser’s Detective Jeffrey Friedman, who also returns. Rounding out the cast of returning veterans is Pinchot, reprising his role as art gallery salesman turned weapons dealer Serge.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley will be directed by Mark Molloy, an Australian filmmaker best known for Apple-related shorts. The fourth entry in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise will be the feature film directorial debut for Molloy, who took over directing duties on the project after Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah exited to helm Batgirl. Screenwriting duties have been filled by Will Beall, who has experience writing for popular franchises with his work on the script for Aquaman. However, Beall is also well-versed in police narratives, having developed Training Day and Deputy for television.
Naturally, even fans of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise may be wary of a return to Axel Foley’s world after so long. Sequels to franchises from the ’80s and ’90s are often criticized for offering little more than nostalgia through references to the past and easter eggs.
However, Murphy has said that Beverly Hills Cop 4 wouldn’t happen unless he felt the script was right. Considering how long it took to develop, it might be safe to assume Murphy’s goals have been met and Axel Foley’s newest adventure will be a worthwhile flick.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley will be released by Netflix.
MORE: Arcane Won The Emmy: What Can Studios Learn From Netflix’s Success?
Source: Deadline