“I f***ing hired you”: Before David Spade, Eddie Murphy Almost Turned His $288 Million Film’s Set into a Battlefield After Grabbing the Director “around the throat” 

Eddie Murphy and David Spade are two comedy giants who’ve had their fair share of ups and downs. From working together on Saturday Night Live to a feud that lasted for years, they have been through it all. It’s like a rollercoaster ride, but with more laughs and a bit of drama thrown in for good measure.

Now, with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Murphy has been taking a trip down memory lane. He has been telling all sorts of interesting details about his time in Hollywood, and it is not all pretty. Murphy recently shared his stories of being offended by the industry and becoming a victim of racism.

Eddie Murphy’s Intense Fight With John Landis

Before all his drama with David Spade, Eddie Murphy had a heated beef with John Landis while filming Coming to America, which ended up making a whopping $288 million (via Box Office Mojo). Ego clashing on set, heated arguments, and threats of physical violence, it had all kinds of behind-the-scenes drama.

Murphy was the star, and he also got a hand in the story. But instead of directing it himself, he decided to give John Landis a shot as his career was off-tracked after he faced legal charges following Twilight Zone: The Movie due to the violation of California’s child labor laws. In an interview with Playboy, Murphy talked about his decision, saying,

I figured I’d give this guy a shot because his career was fucked. But he wound up fu*king me.

Murphy revealed that Landis was bitter from the beginning of the shoot because the Beverly Hills Cop star didn’t attend his trial. Murphy believed that Landis was responsible for his acts to some extent and it was against his principles to support him just because he knew him.

But here’s where things get messy. Landis showed up with what Murphy called an “attitude“. In his Playboy interview, he revealed,

After (Landis) got the job, he brought along an attitude. He came in with this ‘I’m a director’ sht. I was thinking, Wait a second, I f*cking hired you, and now you’re running around, going, ‘You have to remember: I’m the boss, I’m the director.’

Many off-camera arguments happened, and tension kept on building until one day, Landis started yelling at writers about Murphy’s business dealings on set. He was telling the writers who were working on a script for Murphy’s other project to ask him for money (via Cracked). 

Don’t be afraid to ask Eddie Murphy for his money. You go up and ask for your fcking money! Eddie! Your company is fcking these guys out of their money! Guys, don’t be afraid to go up to Eddie and say, F*ck you!’”

Murphy’s not having it. He grabs Landis around the throat “playfully“. Although Landis thought it was a joke, Murphy almost choked him, and the director ran off the set. Later, he showed up at Murphy’s trailer, and instead of apologizing, he told Murphy that he was untalented and that he was only directing the movie for the money.

Murphy, however, warned Landis that he should show some respect. It was like a schoolyard fight but with millions of dollars on the line.

The SNL Joke That Sparked a Feud Between Eddie Murphy and David Spade

Fast forward a bit to 1995. Murphy’s career hit a rough patch, and David Spade decided to take a shot at him on Saturday Night Live. During the Weekend Update segment, Spade showed a picture of Murphy and said, “Look children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish.“

Murphy was not happy. He felt it was a cheap shot and couldn’t believe that the show he once saved was now making fun of him. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Murphy pointed out that they never made jokes about other former cast members’ careers.

Most people that get off that show, they don’t go on and have these amazing careers. It was personal. It was like, ‘Yo, how could you do that?’ My career? Really? A joke about my career? So I thought that was a cheap shot. And it was kind of, I thought — I felt it was racist.

The fallout was intense. In his autobiography, David Spade mentioned that Murphy was furious. He called Spade and said (via Page Six),

David Spade, who the f–k do you think you are? Honestly? Who. The. F–k. Going after ME? You dumb motherf–ker! I’m off-limits, don’t you know that? You wouldn’t have a job if it weren’t for me. Talking s–t about me?

Murphy didn’t appear on SNL for the next 30 years after this joke. It wasn’t until 2019 that he finally returned to host, with Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock joining him. In The New York Times interview, Murphy mentioned how the industry in the ’80s was “relentless” with what he felt were racist comments. However, looking back now, he said it’s all water under the bridge. He’s cool with Spade and SNL creator Lorne Michaels.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F will premiere on Netflix on July 3, 2024.

Coming to America is now available on Prime Video.