It would seem that Paramount just can't get enough of these 'fourquels'. After "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" took a mountainous mound of cash at the global Box Office, the studio has given the green light to "Beverly Hills Cop 4". According to trade mag Variety, Eddie Murphy (who really needs a Box Office win to bolster his waning career) is attached to reprise his famous role of Det. Axel Foley. And the man in the director's chair? Step forward one Mr. Brett Ratner. Paramount are no doubt hoping that Ratner can deliver the same kind of action clout that propelled his "Rush Hour" series to international success.
Paramount are aiming for a 2009 production start for a subsequent summer 2010 release. Interestingly, Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original "Beverly Hills Cop" trilogy with late partner Don Simpson, will not be actively involved this time around. Although certainly the way will be clear for Bruckheimer to step in to an Executive Producer role no doubt.
It was Murphy who first approached the studio about reviving the franchise that gave him his first bone fide hit. After that the maths were easy for Paramount as the original trilogy grossed somewhere near $712.9 million worldwide.