With the exception of 'Dreamgirls', it's been a long time since Eddie Murphy did a dramedy, Let's not talk about the 'Nutty Professor' films or 'Daddy Day Care'. We have to go way back to when he was Axel Foley in the 'Beverly Hills Cop' films and with Paramount successfully relaunching the Indiana Jones franchise, they want to do it again.

Variety states that Eddie Murphy is attached to reprise his role as Detroit detective Axel Foley, and Brett Ratner is negotiating to direct.

Studio is aiming for a 2009 production start and a summer 2010 release.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original 'Beverly Hills Cop' trilogy with late partner Don Simpson, won't be actively involved in the new film.

Murphy approached the studio about reviving the franchise that cemented his status as a B.O. mega-star. Par brass were eager to land another picture with Murphy after he finished the Karey Kirkpatrick-directed 'NowhereLand,' which Paramount releases in June 2009.

The studio canvassed a number of directors before choosing Ratner. A writer will be hired shortly.

Released in 1984, the original 'Beverly Hills Cop' grossed $316 million worldwide and spawned two sequels. All told, the three pics grossed $712.9 million worldwide. The last was released in 1994.

Murphy is currently toplining the Brian Robbins-directed 'A Thousand Words' for DreamWorks.

Let's hope the 4th film is better than the last one, because 'Beverly Hills Cop 3' has to be one of Murphy's worst films to date.