In an ironic twist that illustrates just how long development cycles in Hollywood last, Eddie Murphy has signed on to play opposite Ben Stiller in Tower Heist, the crime caper that he was originally going to star in when the project was first conceived back in 2005. In fact, as lore goes, the original idea of an African-American Ocean’s Eleven was hatched in a conversation between producer Brian Grazer and Murphy. Fast-forward six years — and a slew of different screenwriters — and Murphy is joining Stiller, who, as an overworked manager of a Manhattan luxury high-rise, teams up with his operation and maintenance workers to stage a heist of its penthouse tenant, a Wall Street capitalist, played by Alan Alda, who defrauded the staff of their pensions. Brett Ratner is directing and production is set to begin by the end of the year.
Jeff Nathanson (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past) is currently rewriting the latest draft of the screenplay by Ocean’s Eleven scribe Ted Griffin. Grazer is producing and Murphy is executive producing.
Sounds boring. So it will gross over $200 million.
This is a problem for me because I love and respect Eddie Murphy, but I consider Stiller the un-funniest man on the planet.
Will Ferrell can give Stiller a run for his money in the unfunny department. And let’s not forget Borat too!
I like the concept. I don’t like Ratner as the director.
nerds, get a life
That can’t be directed towards Chris and me, right? Since you’re on ew.com and made an ad-hominem commentabout us? Heed your own advice, d-bag.
Ugh. The Rat is directing. There will be nothing clever about this movie.
Templar, I certainly don’t mean to be disrespectful.. but are you sure?! Eddie Murphy hasn’t been funny since Bowfinger at least. He’s gone on a spiral of insanity and ego.. while Ben Stiller has gone down a bit since his start he is still on higher ground than Murphy for me..
Here’s hoping this project will bring them both up a bit, eh?! ;]
Ok, perhaps Murphy hasn´t been so funny like he used to be in the last years… but he made an incredible role in “Dreamgirls”, and a wonderful voice effort in the “Shrek” saga….
Hmm. We’ll see.
Sounds different, but I’ll see it anyway. Ratner rocks.
I think it’s great!!!!!!!!!!
give it a chance. dave chappelle is in it haha