In today's Callbacks -- your daily roundup of casting news from Deal Central -- Eddie Murphy takes his "Nutty Professor" fat suit out of storage, Damian Chapa prepares to assault Marlon Brando's legacy, Olivia Thirlby fills in for Lindsay Lohan in "The Other Side" and documentary filmmaker Marina Zenovich starts a "Revolution" at Adam Yauch's Oscilloscope Laboratories.
• While on the red carpet promoting "Shrek Forever After," star Eddie Murphy told Access Hollywood that he has finished writing a script for "The Nutty Professor 3."
“You know what, there might be another ‘Nutty Professor,'" said Murphy. "We kind of wrote something that might be kind of funny. If the studios want to do it, we'll do it. If you don't see it, the studio was like, 'This isn't funny.'"
Frankly, it wouldn't be surprising if Universal did, indeed, wind up saying that, but until they do, the studio simply confirmed to TheWrap that a third entry in the blockbuster franchise is still in active development. The "Nutty Professor" series has grossed more than $400 million worldwide, but I don't think I have the stomach to see Murphy wearing a fat suit again as Sherman Klump.
So while all those "Nutty Professor" fans may have their comedic appetities eventually satiated, those hoping for a return of Det. Axel Foley can continue holding their collective breath, as Murphy revealed that he "doesn't know what's going on with" the fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film, meaning Judge Reinhold's fans will have to keep waiting for his triumphant return to the big screen. Boo!
Murphy reprises his role as Donkey in "Shrek Forever After," which comes out this Friday.
• Actor-director Damian Chapa will play Marlon Brando in an unauthorized biopic of the Oscar-winning actor's life.
The film promises to explore Brando's legendary career, but will focus primarily on the actor's childhood and his relationship with his son Christian Brando, who will be played by Chapa's own son, Ricco Chapa. James Bardo will play the Eurotrash drug dealer responsible for the beginning of Christian's tragic and untimely demise.
Chapa previously directed and played the title role in "Polanski Unauthorized" and "Bobby Fischer Live." He intends to base the Brando film on public domain records, and was apparently so interested in playing the iconic actor that he passed on an offer to reprise his role as embattled director Roman Polanski in a sequel. What a guy, folks!
Chapa's Amadeus Pictures and Judith Connolly will exec produce the project, which is currently in pre-production and scheduled to begin filming July 5.
• Olivia Thirlby has "replaced" Lindsay Lohan as the lead in David Michaels' directorial debut "The Other Side," and Eddie Izzard has joined the cast.
Described as a cross between "Beetlejuice" and "Alice in Wonderland," the modern-day fable also stars Woody Harrelson, Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee and Alanis Morissette.
The story, written by Michaels, follows an overachieving science scholar as she solves a bizarre mystery involving the eccentric residents of a remote island where she discovers her own unexpected ties to its history.
