• Murphy reveals he passed on three major comedy roles that later became classics
• Actor admits he underestimated scripts that became cultural milestones
• Regrets highlight how unpredictable Hollywood timing can be

LOS ANGELES (TDR) Comedy icon Eddie Murphy is opening up about three major movie roles he turned down early in his career — opportunities that ultimately became genre-defining successes. In a recent interview, Murphy said he rejected roles in Ghostbusters, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Rush Hour, calling those decisions the closest things to “career regrets” he carries today.

Murphy’s three biggest “what-ifs”

Murphy explained that he was originally offered the role of Winston Zeddemore in the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters. He turned it down because of scheduling conflicts and because he did not initially believe the project would become the hit it later became. Looking back, he called it a career-defining trade-off, acknowledging that the film’s impact on the comedy genre was far greater than he anticipated.

His second regret came with Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a film he dismissed at the time because he thought the concept sounded too unusual. “I read the script and said, ‘That’ll never work,’” Murphy recalled, later admitting the film became a groundbreaking hybrid hit that revolutionized animation and live-action filmmaking.

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Murphy also said he passed on a role in Rush Hour, the buddy-action comedy that ultimately launched a wildly successful franchise for Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. Murphy said the timing wasn’t right and he misread the script’s potential, later admitting it was a massive missed opportunity given the franchise’s enduring popularity.

How the missed roles shaped his legacy

Industry analysts say Murphy’s comments highlight how unpredictable early-career decisions can be in Hollywood. Though he didn’t take part in these movies, Murphy’s run of hits — including Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor — cemented him as one of the most bankable stars of his era. But critics note the trio of missed films illustrate an important lesson about opportunity cost in entertainment.

One industry veteran said Murphy’s candor reflects a deeper understanding of how creative instincts evolve. “When you pass on something that becomes iconic, it makes you rethink what ‘instinct’ really means in this business,” the source said. Murphy echoed that sentiment himself, suggesting that the decisions taught him the value of long-view script judgment and more rigorous project evaluation.

Lessons for rising talent

Murphy said the biggest takeaway for younger performers is recognizing how unpredictable the industry can be. He noted that Rush Hour, for example, succeeded in part because of unique chemistry between Tucker and Chan — a pairing he said he never anticipated would generate such explosive global appeal.

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Experts say Murphy’s reflections offer essential insight into the difficulty of balancing instinct with opportunity. Even established stars can underestimate scripts that later become cultural touchstones.

“If you could do a dozen of those, you’re a beast,” Murphy said, acknowledging that even the biggest stars misjudge projects sometimes.

Murphy is currently developing new projects and says the regrets haven’t overshadowed his career but have helped sharpen his intuition moving forward. He called the experiences invaluable creative data that shaped how he approaches future scripts.

Do Murphy’s reflections show that even Hollywood’s biggest stars can underestimate the power of a well-timed role?

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