2008-05-29 12:04:21 - Eddie Murphy is to make a return to his role as Detective Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop 4'.

Eddie Murphy is to star in 'Beverly Hills Cop 4'. The actor approached Paramount Studios with the idea of reprising his role as wise-cracking detective Axel Foley and the project has reportedly been taken on. 'X-Men'

director Brett Ratner is to oversee the latest instalment of the hit series, though the search for a writer is still ongoing. Jerry Bruckheimer - who produced the first three movies - is not involved with the new project, with his duties being taken on by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of 'Transformers' and 'G.I. Joe'. The first 'Beverly Hills Cop' film was released in 1984, with the third - and supposedly final - movie coming out in 1994. The three films collectively grossed $712.9 million. 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' is to go into production next year, and a release date of summer 2010 has been pencilled in. Victoria Beckham famously dubbed Eddie "Beverly Hills c**k" after his treatment of her former Spice Girls bandmate Mel B. The actor denied he was the father of Mel's baby daughter, Angel Iris, though DNA tests later proved he was.