Pink Panther reboot confirmed with new Inspector Clouseau to be played by Hollywood A-lister
Eddie Murphy will play the iconic comedy character in a new film.
It's been 16 years since the last Pink Panther film was released in cinemas, but now a major Hollywood star has confirmed he will lead a new reboot of the franchise.
Eddie Murphy, known for his roles in Shrek, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, Coming to America and many more, has confirmed he will be playing the iconic character of Inspector Clouseau in the new movie.
He told Today in an interview: "(I’ve) already started Shrek 5. And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther."
When asked whether his version of the character would be French, as Clouseau has previously been depicted, he said: "Maybe. Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure."
The Pink Panther series centred on Inspector Jacques Clouseau, a hapless detective who in the first film was seen trying to stop a jewel thief known as The Phantom from stealing a priceless diamond known as The Pink Panther.
Clouseau was most famously played by Sellers in six films, while in another the actor was seen as the character in photographs. He has also been played by Alan Arkin, Roger Moore and, most recently, Steve Martin, who starred in two reboot films.
The film series also led to a number of spin-off cartoons centring on the Pink Panther animated character, who was introduced in the opening credits of the first movie.
Reports of Murphy's involvement in a Pink Panther film first emerged in 2023, with it being revealed at that time that the new movie would be directed by Jeff Fowler, from a screenplay by Chris Bremner.
Murphy was most recently seen in 2024's long-awaited Beverly Hills Cop sequel, subtitled Axel F, while his new film The Pickup is releasing on Prime Video next month.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
