Eddie Murphy's return as the iconic Axel Foley in Netflix's “Beverly Hills Cop: The song “Axel F” is already setting the charts ablaze before it gets officially released. Set to release on July 3rd, this highly anticipated sequel is set to become one of Netflix's most popular action offerings as it has been produced with a staggering $150m budget.
Another reason that it's expensive is because Murphy's pay is said to be between $20m to $30m a year. This investment can be attributed to the level of confidence possessed by Netflix on the power of the character from the 1980's. In an age when streaming platforms are fighting for attention, bringing back a beloved franchise with a universal talent like Eddie Murphy is a smart play.
Directed by Australian filmmaker Mark Molloy, “Beverly Hills Cop: The music video for ‘Axel F” stars celebrities such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, and Judge Reinhold. The combination of talented actors in the principal roles and the experienced producer Jerry Bruckheimer guarantees a fascinating show.
Test screenings conducted the previous year affirmed a favorable response, some to the tune that it is the best sequel since the first film. This is a boost given the fact that the previous sequels received rather mixed reaction from the movie going public. However, it should be mentioned that the commercial success of the picture is likely to be better than its critical acclaim.
The algorithm of Netflix is believed to ensure that the movie gets recommended as soon as one logs into the platform. This, coupled with the nostalgic pull and star power, makes “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” to become a chart-topping hit for the streaming platform.
Lastly, one could argue that Netflix's $150 million investment on “Beverly Hills Cop 4” is a well-planned risk given the franchise potential, the star, and the genre. If you're an old fan of Axel Foley or a new comer to the series, this film is looking to be one of the blockbuster movies to lookout for this summer.