Eddie Murphy has signed a three picture and first-look deal with Amazon Studios meaning Murphy can now become Amazon’s answer to Adam Sandler. The Coming 2 America star recently formalized his relationship with Amazon Studios after the massive success of the Amazon-acquired movie. Murphy’s sequel was reported to be Amazon’s biggest opening in the previous 12 months. This film was initially intended to be a Paramount Pictures release, but the Covid-19 pandemic led to the film being sold to Amazon Studios for $125 million.
Streaming deals of this nature are becoming commonplace in Hollywood and Murphy is merely the latest actor to pen a multi-picture deal with a major streaming service. The deal currently includes three films in which Murphy will star and will provide him the opportunity to simultaneously develop additional features for the studio. If he chooses, he also has the ability to star in these films as well. Eddie Murphy’s popularity never truly disappeared, the actor has been slowly stepping back into the spotlight with Netflix’s Dolemite is My Name, Coming 2 America, and Beverly Hills Cop 4 which is currently in pre-production.
Streaming has been kind to many actors, including Murphy. His 2019 Netflix film, Dolemite is My Name, earned the actor his first Golden Globe nomination in over a decade and sparked outrage when he did not receive an Oscar nomination for the titular role. At this point in his career, Murphy is smart to sign with a streaming service as he undoubtedly understands the future is streaming. Moreover, this deal with Amazon Studios positions Eddie Murphy to become Amazon Studio’s answer to Netflix's massive partnership with fellow career comedian, Adam Sandler.
Adam Sandler, now 55, and his company Happy Madison Productions first penned a massive deal with Netflix back in 2014. This deal was later extended in 2017 and extended once more after the massive success of Murder Mystery. To date, Sandler has starred in eight Netflix films and has continued to bring in massive audiences. Netflix reported 83 million households streamed at least part of Murder Mystery in the first four weeks of its release. Eddie Murphy’s deal with Amazon Studios will effectively see Murphy fulfilling the duties as Sandler at Netflix.
With both stars’ broad appeal, their films retain built-in audiences which will drive viewers to the respective platforms. Likewise, Murphy’s deal with Amazon will allow the actor to bypass the toxicity of box office pressures. With this barrier transcended, Murphy will be able to tell the stories he chooses to tell without compromise. This creative freedom is the same freedom Sandler receives at Netflix, which allows him to make the movies he enjoys and the movies his fans adore. Eddie Murphy will now have that same opportunity, which will likely lead to many hit films by the beloved comedian.
At this phase in his career, this was the best move Eddie Murphy could have made. Actors and comedians of Murphy’s caliber thrive when they are not at the mercy of the box office and all the anchors that come with standard theatrical releases. Just as Adam Sandler has been able to have fun at Netflix, Murphy will potentially see a career renaissance at Amazon. Consequently, Coming 2 America was likely only the beginning of a very fruitful partnership between Eddie Murphy and Amazon Studios.