It’s been so long since Eddie Murphy made a good movie, we’ve kind of forgotten that he used to be funny. Making his bank account bigger over the past decade in a string of increasingly shitty family movies, the days when Murphy was edgy comic with a unique and hilarious voice are now a far distant memory. And the actor now has yet another high concept, and probably poorly executed comedy and it looks like even the studio are throwing up their hands on this movie which has been sitting around for a while.
Completed filming way back in 2009, “A Thousand Words” finds Murphy playing a guy who learns he also has a 1000 words to speak before he dies. Sounds like a pretty interesting concept but with Steve Koren (“Bruce Almighty,” “Click“) writing and Brian Robbins (“Norbit,” “Meet Dave” — how the fuck is this guy still getting work?) directing, we’re pretty sure this will be bereft of laughter. Anyway, in case you’re curious, the film will finally get released on January 13, 2012 where it will face stiff competition from the Drew Barrymore/John Krasinski animal movie “Everybody Loves Whales“; the Queen Latifah/Dolly Parton vehicle “Joyful Noise” and the Joseph Gordon-Levitt bike courier thriller “Premium Rush.” At least there will be one good potentially good movie that weekend.
As for Murphy, he’s next going to be seen in the huge ensemble Brett Ratner comedy “Tower Heist” with Ben Stiller, so hopefully he won’t stink up the joint there with funny voices or by wearing a fatsuit. But hey, at the very least, after five “Shrek” movies (including spinoffs), even Murphy’s wallet needs a rest and he recently told TMZ, “No more Shrek. I’m Shrek’d out.” It appears even Murphy has limits. [Deadline]
