Eddie Murphy has officially confirmed that he will portray Inspector Clouseau in the upcoming installment of the beloved Pink Panther franchise. The announcement follows reports from 2023 that indicated Murphy was in discussions for the role, and he recently shared details during an interview on the Today show with Al Roker.
Murphy expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “I’m getting ready to do a [biopic of] George Clinton, [his music collective] Parliament-Funkadelic. I’ve already started Shrek 5. And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther.” When asked about the character’s nationality, Murphy humorously noted that while Clouseau must be French, he could also embody a Haitian identity, affirming, “He’s Black, for sure.”
The Legacy of Inspector Clouseau
The Pink Panther series originally debuted in the United States in 1964, with the late Peter Sellers famously portraying Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Sellers brought the character to life in multiple films, including *A Shot in the Dark* (1964), *The Return of the Pink Panther* (1975), *The Pink Panther Strikes Again* (1976), and *Revenge of the Pink Panther* (1978). The original film followed Clouseau as he attempted to apprehend a jewel thief known as The Phantom, who sought to steal the iconic diamond, The Pink Panther.
The franchise also featured a distinctive animated pink panther that became a cultural icon through various cartoon adaptations. In 2006, a reboot of the series directed by Shawn Levy saw Steve Martin take on the role of Inspector Clouseau, accompanied by a cast that included Kevin Kline, Emily Mortimer, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jean Reno. Martin later reprised his role in the sequel, *The Pink Panther 2* (2009), which introduced John Cleese as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus.
The upcoming film is expected to be a live-action and computer-generated imagery (CGI) hybrid, continuing the legacy of the franchise while incorporating modern filmmaking techniques.
As anticipation builds for Murphy’s portrayal, fans of the franchise are eager to see how he will bring a fresh perspective to the iconic character. With his extensive experience in comedy and film, Murphy’s take on Inspector Clouseau promises to offer both humor and depth to a role that has endured for decades.
