Eddie Murphy to star in new holiday film, 'Candy Cane Lane'

Reginald Hudlin, who directed Murphy in 1992's "Boomerang," is directing.

July 20, 2022, 12:43 PM

It must be Christmas in July, because it was recently announced that Eddie Murphy is starring in a new holiday comedy titled "Candy Cane Lane."

The film, which will premiere on Amazon Prime Video, will begin shooting this winter in Los Angeles.

Reginald Hudlin, who directed Murphy in 1992's "Boomerang" and was nominated for an Academy Award for producing 2012's "Django Unchained," will direct "Candy Cane Lane." Murphy is also producing the film alongside Imagine Entertainment President Brian Grazer, who also produced "Boomerang" and won an Oscar for producing 2001's "A Beautiful Mind."

The film was written by Kelly Younger, who has two Muppets-focused projects under his belt: 2020's "Muppets Now" and 2021's "Muppets Haunted Mansion," both on Disney+.

PHOTO: Eddie Murphy accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 12, 2020, in Santa Monica, Calif.
Eddie Murphy accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 12, 2020, in Santa Monica, Calif.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images, FILE

"Candy Cane Lane" is "inspired by Younger's childhood holiday experiences," but further plot details are being kept under wraps for now.

"The holiday season is my favorite time of year -- just ask my family about my nine-hour Christmas playlist!" Hudlin said in a press release. "I'm excited to be working again with Eddie Murphy, Brian Grazer, and Amazon."

"As we know firsthand with our hit 'Coming 2 America,' Eddie is someone who brings global audiences together, and we can't wait to make it happen again," Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing the multi-talented Reggie Hudlin take the helm in bringing this future holiday classic to life!"