- Eddie Murphy, 48 Hrs, 1981. Clint Eastwood was keen, then decided to go to jail, instead, and Escape From Alcatraz, 1979. Director Walter Hill also split – for The Long Riders and Southern Comfort. He then tried Richard Pryor – “the story was preposterous; why not make it kind of humorous?” He was unavailable. As was Hines, Howartd E Rollins Jr and a young Denzel Washington. And so Murphy made his debut. Two weeks late due to Saturday Night Live. ”He came in absolutely cold… a seasoned performer but not a trained film actor. It’s one of the few times I’ve been sorry I didn’t rehearse.” Despite Paramount studio chief Michael Eisner trying to fire Eddie after three weeks! Take: $60m. Murphy’s salary: $200,000. But $7m for the sequel. And top billing!
- Ernie Hudson, Ghostbusters, 1983. The paranormal was, said Dan Aykord, his family’s business. That and having stayed in a house haunted by Mama Cass Elliott inspired his dark, futuristic update of such 40s’ comedies as Bob Hope’s Ghost Breakers and the Bowery Boys as Ghost Chasers – penned for John Belushi, Eddie Murphy and himself. Dan was actually writing a line for John when hearing about his shock death.. (He said Slimer was John‘s ghost). Murphy was busy – policing Beverly Hills. “I wasn’t available because I did this other movie.” Director Ivan Reitman denied that Gregory Hines was considered for Winston Zeddemore – although he probably never knew who Aykroyd was thinking of before his dark, futuristic script went through multi-rewrites.
- Eric Roberts, Doctor Who (The Movie), TV, 1996.
Birth year: 1946Death year: 2003Other name: Casting Calls: 3