Eddie Murphy Reveals Three Iconic Films He Regrets Turning Down: Ghostbusters, Rush Hour, and Roger Rabbit

Eddie Murphy’s Trio of Regrets: The Blockbusters That Got Away

In a career defined by massive box office hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor, it is rare for a star of Eddie Murphy’s magnitude to admit to significant professional missteps. However, the legendary comedian recently revealed three major film roles that he deeply regrets passing up, calling them the “three huge movies” he wishes he had done.

Speaking in an interview while promoting his new Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, Murphy detailed the specific projects and the reasons he ultimately declined roles that went on to become cultural touchstones for other actors. The list includes a supernatural comedy classic, a groundbreaking live-action/animation hybrid, and a modern buddy-cop franchise starter.

The Three Missed Opportunities

Murphy’s list of regrets spans three decades and showcases the breadth of his influence, even in the roles he didn’t take. Each film became a massive success, validating his later feelings of remorse.

1. Ghostbusters (1984)

Murphy was offered the role of Winston Zeddemore in the original 1984 supernatural comedy. The timing, however, was complicated. Murphy was already committed to another project that would define his early career.

• The Role: Winston Zeddemore, the fourth member of the Ghostbusters team.
• Who Took It: Ernie Hudson, who became synonymous with the character.
• The Conflict: Murphy was busy filming Beverly Hills Cop, which was released the same year and became a colossal hit, cementing his status as a global superstar. While Beverly Hills Cop was a success, Murphy still views Ghostbusters as a missed chance to join a unique ensemble.

2. Rush Hour (1998)

In the late 1990s, Murphy was approached for the role that would launch a hugely successful buddy-cop franchise pairing an American star with a Hong Kong action legend.

• The Role: Detective James Carter, the fast-talking LAPD detective.
• Who Took It: Chris Tucker, whose chemistry with Jackie Chan fueled three blockbuster films.
• The Reason: While Murphy did not specify his exact reason for declining Rush Hour, the film’s massive success and subsequent sequels made it a clear contender for a role he wishes he had accepted.

The ‘Stupid’ Decision: Misjudging Roger Rabbit

Perhaps the most surprising and candid admission of regret concerns the 1988 cinematic milestone, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Murphy was offered the lead role of the cynical private detective, Eddie Valiant, but dismissed the concept entirely.

• The Role: Eddie Valiant, the hard-boiled detective who interacts with Toons.
• Who Took It: The role was famously played by the late Bob Hoskins.
• The Reason: Murphy confessed that he simply didn’t believe the technology or the concept would work. He thought the idea of mixing live actors with cartoon characters was destined to fail.

“I was like, ‘What? Animation and people? That sounds like bullsh*t to me,’” Murphy recalled of his initial reaction. “Now every time I see it, I feel like an idiot.”

Murphy admitted that his skepticism cost him a chance to star in a truly groundbreaking film that won four Academy Awards and pushed the boundaries of visual effects. He called the decision to pass on the role “stupid.”

Context: Career Crossroads and the Cost of Success

It is important to note that Murphy’s career trajectory often placed him at the center of multiple high-profile offers simultaneously, particularly during his peak in the 1980s. While turning down Ghostbusters allowed him to star in Beverly Hills Cop—a film that grossed over $234 million globally and became the highest-grossing film of 1984—the decision highlights the difficult choices actors face when balancing competing projects.

For Roger Rabbit, the regret stems not from a scheduling conflict, but from a fundamental misjudgment of the film’s creative ambition. The success of Bob Hoskins in the role demonstrated that the blend of noir detective work and zany animation could be both critically acclaimed and commercially viable.

Murphy’s willingness to discuss these missed opportunities provides a rare glimpse into the high-stakes decision-making process of a Hollywood icon, confirming that even the most successful careers are filled with ‘what ifs.’

Key Takeaways

Murphy’s reflections, shared during the promotion of his documentary Being Eddie, underscore the unpredictable nature of Hollywood success:

• The Three Films: Ghostbusters (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Rush Hour (1998).
• The Roles: Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), and Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker).
• The Biggest Regret: Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which Murphy dismissed as a flawed concept, a decision he now calls “stupid.”
• The Trade-off: Turning down Ghostbusters allowed him to star in the massive hit Beverly Hills Cop, illustrating the constant trade-offs in the industry.