Beaks here...
That live-action/animated HONG KONG PHOOEY you've been clamoring for? It's finally happening! And <em>of course</em> Eddie Murphy is involved!
Murphy has been chosen by producers Broderick Johnston, Andrew Kosove, Jay Stern and Brett Ratner to succeed the late, great Scatman Crothers as the voice of Hong Kong Phooey aka Number One Super Guy. The press release that just hit my inbox informs me that Alex Zamm (DR. DOLITTLE: MILLION DOLLAR MUTTS and TOOTH FAIRY 2) will direct. Tellingly, there is no mention of a screenwriter, but I'm sure they'll get a good 'un.
Judging from the release, the premise is pretty much the same as the cartoon...
Based on the 70’s cult classic Hanna Barbera animated TV series, a mild-mannered dog named PENRY (Murphy) stumbles into a mystic ceremony and is accidentally granted mystic powers, including the ability to walk, talk, and do kung fu. Under the tutelage of his kung fu master, Penry dons a costume and becomes Hong Kong Phooey, and with the help of his trusting sidekick Spot the cat cleans up a rogues gallery of wacky criminals.
Now that Murphy's on board, you are free to speculate as to which major Hollywood stars will get to spend a few lucrative weeks in a recording studio reviving the iconic likes of Spot, Rosemary and Sgt. Flint!
