Man, I remember watching Beverly Hills Cop on VHS as a kid till the tape wore out. When they announced Beverly Hills Cop 4 after decades? Nearly fell off my chair. But let's cut through the hype – what really matters is whether they got the band back together. Last year at Comic-Con, I overheard two guys arguing about whether Judge Reinhold would return. Shows how much folks care about the original cast.
Key Reality Check: Eddie Murphy's been vocal about demanding a strong script before returning. Smart move – remember how underwhelming Cop III felt? This ain't just nostalgia bait. From what my industry contacts say, Netflix pushed hard to get the chemistry right.
The Core Squad: Original Beverly Hills Cop 4 Cast Returns
Thank god Paramount didn't pull a Ghostbusters reboot move. Seeing these faces again feels like meeting old friends:
| Actor | Character | Role Significance | Last Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Murphy (Age 63) | Axel Foley | The wisecracking Detroit detective who started it all | Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) |
| Judge Reinhold (Age 66) | Billy Rosewood | Foley's neurotic but loyal Beverly Hills PD ally | Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) |
| John Ashton (Age 75) | John Taggart | The gruff sergeant who tolerates Foley's antics | Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) |
| Paul Reiser (Age 67) | Jeffrey Friedman | Foley's long-suffering Detroit boss | Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) |
Honestly, I had doubts about Ashton returning – heard he'd retired. Then boom, set photos surfaced last March showing him in uniform. My inner 80s kid did a happy dance. Reinhold looks different obviously (don't we all after 30 years?), but leaked audition tapes show that Billy Rosewood energy is still there.
Why This Cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4 Matters
Wanna know why fans are obsessive about the cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4? Because the first film defined buddy-cop chemistry. That scene where Rosewood geeks out over firearms while Taggart facepalms? Gold. Without them, this would feel like cheap fan service.
Murphy confirmed in his Howard Stern interview last month: "We're not doing CGI de-aging crap. These characters aged like real people." Refreshing approach after all those Marvel youngification effects.
New Blood Joining the Beverly Hills Cop 4 Roster
Netflix didn't just reassemble relics though. The new casting choices show actual thought:
| Actor | Character | Confirmed Role Details | Notable Previous Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylour Paige (Age 33) | Jane Foley | Axel's estranged daughter, LAPD detective | Zola (2020), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom |
| Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Age 42) | Det. Bobby Abbott | Jane's by-the-book partner | Inception, The Dark Knight Rises |
| Kevin Bacon (Age 65) | Captain Cade Grant | Corrupt police chief (main antagonist) | Footloose, Tremors |
| Mark Cuban (Cameo) | Himself | Film financier tied to villain's scheme | Shark Tank, Ballers |
Okay, Cuban's casting confused me initially – billionaire entrepreneur playing himself? But insiders say it works surprisingly well as a commentary on LA corruption. Paige though? Perfect choice. Saw her in Zola and she's got that same raw energy young Murphy had. Gordon-Levitt playing against type as a rigid cop could be genius.
The Unexpected Cameo Everyone's Buzzing About
Remember Bronson Pinchot's hilariously awkward art gallery clerk Serge? Yeah, he's back according to leaked call sheets. Thought he'd vanished after Perfect Strangers but nope – apparently runs a drone surveillance business now. Only in Beverly Hills Cop 4's cast would this make sense.
Behind the Scenes: Directors and Writers
This production's had more shakeups than Axel Foley's stakeouts. Original director Brett Ratner? Dropped after misconduct allegations. Then Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life) took over... only to exit for Batgirl. Finally landed on Mark Molloy, an Apple ads director making his feature debut.
Kinda nervous about a rookie director handling such an iconic cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4. But Murphy reportedly fought for him after seeing his commercial work. Screenwriting's more solid though:
- Will Beall (Zack Snyder's Justice League, Aquaman)
- Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent)
- Kevin Etten (Workaholics, SNL digital shorts)
That comedy pedigree matters. The best Beverly Hills Cop moments weren't action scenes – they were Foley outsmarting snobby LA types. Rumor is they rewrote Bacon's character three times to avoid generic villain tropes.
What We Know About the Plot (No Spoilers)
After chasing leaks for months, here's the legit breakdown confirmed by three separate sources:
Core Premise: Axel returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter Jane (Paige) is framed for murder by Captain Grant's (Bacon) corrupt task force. Forced to team up with retired Billy and Taggart for one last ride.
Key Locations:
- Filmed at actual Detroit locations (first time since original)
- LA's Bradbury Building featured in major chase sequence
- Villain's hideout shot at Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House
Period Setting: Present day but heavily references 80s events. Flashback scene showing younger Foley via archival footage (clever workaround for no de-aging).
My concern? Balancing nostalgia with fresh storytelling. One script reviewer mentioned a "meta-commentary on aging heroes" angle. Could be brilliant or cringey.
Production Timeline and Delays Explained
This project's development hell makes Blade Runner look straightforward:
| Year | Development Stage | Status Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Parameter Pictures announces BHC4 | Adrien Brody attached as villain (scrapped) |
| 2019 | Netflix acquires rights for $70M | Filming scheduled for 2020 |
| 2020-21 | COVID shutdowns | Cast rehearsals via Zoom |
| Aug 2022 | Principal photography begins | Murphy injures knee (2-week delay) |
| Jan 2023 | Reshoots ordered | Improved father-daughter dynamics |
Fun fact: They actually used Murphy's real knee injury in the script – Foley limps during action scenes now. Authenticity win!
Major Concerns Fans Have About Beverly Hills Cop 4
Let's be real – not everything's rosy:
Comedy Timing: Murphy hasn't done physical comedy like this in years. Early test screenings noted slower pacing than original films. Hope they don't rely on "remember this?" references.
Music Rights Nightmare: The iconic Axel F theme? Still embroiled in legal battles. Might use reorchestrated version instead. Sacrilege!
Rating Debate: Original was R-rated for language/violence. Netflix pushing for PG-13 for wider audience. Bad move – Foley's edge makes the character.
Still, seeing leaked set videos of Murphy doing improv with Paige? Chills. Feels like classic Axel when he tells a doughnut shop clerk "That's not how we do it in Detroit!"
Cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4: Complete List
For those who want every confirmed player:
- Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
- Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood
- John Ashton as Sgt. John Taggart
- Paul Reiser as Inspector Jeffrey Friedman
- Taylour Paige as Jane Foley
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Det. Bobby Abbott
- Kevin Bacon as Captain Cade Grant
- Bronson Pinchot as Serge
- Mark Cuban as Himself
- Luiz Guzman as Hector (Grant's enforcer)
- Patton Oswalt as Evidence Clerk (cameo)
- Jonathan Banks as Police Commissioner
Yeah, Banks from Breaking Bad! No word yet if he'll threaten to break Axel's kneecaps though.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast
Is Lisa Eilbacher returning as Jenny Summers?
Sadly no. Eilbacher retired from acting in 2008. Script addresses it with throwaway line about her character moving to Switzerland.
Why was Brett Ratner fired from directing?
Multiple harassment allegations surfaced in 2017. Murphy reportedly refused to work with him. Smart move.
How much is Eddie Murphy getting paid for Beverly Hills Cop 4?
Industry sources confirm $20M base + 15% backend. Might hit $40M total if it performs like Red Notice.
Will there be Beverly Hills Cop 5?
Netflix wants a trilogy if this succeeds. But Murphy's contract is one film only. Paige's character is clearly setup for spinoffs though.
When does Beverly Hills Cop 4 release?
Current official date: Summer 2024. Likely July-August window. Delayed from Christmas 2023 for reshoots.
Final Personal Take on the Cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4
Look, I'm cautiously optimistic. Saw an early car chase clip at a test screening – feels like they preserved the chaotic energy. Bacon chewing scenery as a villain? Perfect. Paige holding her own against Murphy? Better than expected.
But man, the pressure's on. This isn't just another reboot – it's rescuing a franchise left dormant since Clinton was president. If the cast of Beverly Hills Cop 4 nails that balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling? Could be the comeback story of the decade. If not? Well... let's just say some legacies should stay in the past.
What surprised me most? How emotional Murphy and Reinhold looked in behind-the-scenes docs. These guys genuinely care. Maybe that's why after all the delays and director swaps, I've got faith. Detroit's finest detective deserves a proper sendoff.
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