Eddie Murphy Plans an All-Star Remake of the 1963 Comedy Classic It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Eddie Murphy has his eyes set on bringing back one of Hollywood’s biggest and wildest ensemble comedies ever made — It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The original 1963 film, directed by Stanley Kramer, featured a massive cast of legendary comedians like Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, and Phil Silvers. The story followed a chaotic race among strangers to dig up a suitcase full of stolen money, and over its three-hour runtime, it became a comedy landmark. Now, more than six decades later, Murphy wants to reimagine that same madness for a new generation.

The comedian revealed his plan in June 2024 during a red-carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight (source). Murphy confirmed that he’s been developing the remake for a while, with Jez Butterworth, the acclaimed screenwriter behind Ford v Ferrari, working on the script. According to Murphy, the screenplay “will be delivered any minute now.” That alone suggests this project is more than just an idea — it’s something actively moving forward behind the scenes.

Murphy’s vision for the remake is ambitious. He said he wants to assemble “a who’s who of comedians” — essentially, every funny person from the past 30 years. The goal is to recreate the energy of the original, which gathered the biggest comedic names of its time into one film. As Murphy told ET, “Anybody that was funny over the last 30 years is going to be in this movie.” It’s an idea that fits his long history of blending generations of comedians on-screen — from Harlem Nights, where he brought together Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, to Coming to America, which introduced a new wave of comedic talent.

One particularly exciting detail is that Murphy plans to reunite with Martin Lawrence, his co-star from Boomerang and Life. The two share a strong comedic chemistry, and their reunion adds another nostalgic layer for fans of classic ’90s comedy. Lawrence has already expressed enthusiasm about working together again, fueling hopes that the project could turn into a major comedy event.

Industry reports from ScreenRant and CinemaBlend note that while the film hasn’t officially been greenlit yet, Murphy’s track record and his current run of high-profile projects — including Shrek 5 and a George Clinton biopic — make it a strong possibility.

As of now, no studio has been announced to back the film, and there’s no confirmed director, cast list, or release date. Still, with Murphy and Butterworth leading the creative side, the project has significant potential. Commentators at World of Reel point out that recreating the massive ensemble energy of the original will be challenging in today’s market — but if anyone could pull it off, it’s Eddie Murphy.

If this remake gets the green light, it would mark one of the most ambitious comedy projects in years. With Murphy’s proven ability to mix nostalgia with fresh talent, fans are understandably curious — and hopeful — to see if It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World can once again become the ultimate comedy free-for-all for a new era.