One of the great things aboutBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fis not only its soundtrack, which is an epic throwback to the original trilogy, but the appearance ofEddie Murphyin hisiconic Detroit Lions jacketas well. However, if it were up to the 63-year-old star, that legendary piece of clothing that helped define his characterwouldn’t have made an appearance in the movie at all. Murphy returned as Detective Axel Foley on July 18, 2025, inBeverly Hills Cop: Axel Fafter 30 years away from the role, which has thus far proven to be a success, with the film landing at number oneon the Netflix Global Chart.
As perThe Ringer, Murphywasn’t too keen about putting on the Detroit Lions jacketonce more forBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F, mainly due to the fact that 30 years had gone by since the last film, and he didn’t think it was appropriatefor Foley to still be wearing the same getup in 2024. He says it’s something thathe had to be talked into.
“It was surreal when you put it on again and look at it again. They kind of had to talk me into wearing the same clothes. Because I was like, ‘Why would he have on the same clothes from 30 years ago?I have the same sneakers?’ And they were like, ‘Can you get your hair the same way? Yeah, you grow a little Afro like you had back then.’ I was like,‘What the f*ck is wrong with y’all? I’m not doing anything!'”
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley is the fourth film in the popular comedy franchise starring Eddie Murphy. Murphy returns as Axel Foley in the Netflix film alongside returning cast members Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and Bronson Pinchot as Serge. Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt also star in the sequel as new characters.
As a way to make Murphy understandthe importance of the iconic jacket, he says the filmmakers likened it to another legendary accessory:Indiana Jones’ fedora. Murphy says that once they put it in those terms, then putting on the jacketdidn’t seem like such a big deal after all.
“They kind of talked me into it. They were like, ‘Hey, listen, this character’s look is kind of part of his whole thing. Axel Foley has that jacket.It’s like Indiana Jones’s hat.’ And when they put it like that, it was like,‘OK. All right.‘And it worked out.”
Eddie Murphy Brought His Improvisational Skills to Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
“That Was Not in the Script.”
As one of the great comedic actors of this generation, Eddie Murphy got his start doing stand-up comedy beforemaking the transition to acting. After his stint onSaturday Night Live, Murphy would go on to star in48 HoursandTrading Placesbefore landing the part of Axel Foley inBeverly Hills Cop. While some actorstend to stick with what’s written on the pagewhen it comes to their dialogue, such is not the case with Murphy,whose improvisational skills have become legendary.
For the first film, such scenes as Murphy in the banquet room trying to get to Victor Maitlandwere completely improvised by the star, as was the moment between him and Bronson Pinchot’s character of Sergein the art gallery. Not much has changed over the years, and forBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Murphy continued to keep his co-stars on their toes,including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who saysone of the film’s biggest laughs was not in the script.
“The premiere [ofAxel F] was [on June 20], so we got to watch it with a whole cinema full of people. Hundreds of people. And one of the biggest laughs was when I come into the room and he’s talking with his daughter and I kind of do a little double-take and realize, ‘Oh, these two know each other.’ He goes, ‘Have you two had intercourse?’ That was not in the script.”
‘Not Your Finest Hour:’ Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Director Explains That Dig at Panned Sequel
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is taking fans back to the good old days, not just with a dig at the third entry in the series, but also with its music.
It’s those laughs coupled with all the things that madeBeverly Hills Copgreat,including Murphy’s style, that have helped make the latest film such a hit. As for whether we’llsee another entry in the franchise?Murphy sayshe’s definitely on board for another one.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Fis now streaming onNetflix.
