2019 is turning out to be quite the comeback year for Eddie Murphy. First he appeared in an episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, then rumors swirled that he was in talks to tape a Netflix stand-up special for truckloads of money. He also has some big movie roles in the works, including a return to Prince Akeem in the Coming to America sequel and a lead turn as comedian and ’70s blaxploitation star Rudy Ray Moore in My Name Is Dolemite. Moore is best known for co-writing and starring as the titular pimp in the 1975 film Dolemite, based on the character he developed onstage.
Netflix dropped the first trailer for the latter project today, which follows Moore’s journey from failing comedian to Hollywood legend. The film features tons of stars in addition to Murphy, including Wesley Snipes (who will also appear in the Coming to America sequel), Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Mike Epps, Tituss Burgess, Snoop Dogg, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and more. As Entertainment Weekly notes, the film — which was directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Empire) and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People vs. O.J. Simpson) — will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, then head to Netflix and select theaters sometime later this fall. Murphy’s already receiving some Oscars buzz for his performance, which isn’t too surprising if you watch the trailer — it looks very promising!