John Landis on Eddie Murphy: 'I Have No Idea If He's Thinking about Being Really Funny Anymore'

With credits which include, 'Animal House,' 'Blues Siblings,' 'Three Amigos,' 'Trading Places' and 'Coming to America,' it's little of the stretch to call director John Landis a comedy genius. In addition, Landis continues to be given -- because of individuals latter films out there -- a distinctive understanding of your brain of Eddie Murphy. This post is particularly helpful now, thinking about Murphy has developed in the news lately, since you may have observed. (He's funny again in 'Tower Heist'! He will host the Academy awards! He isn't likely to host the Academy awards! He isn't funny any longer in 'A 1000 Words'!) Because the mid-1990's, Murphy has faced critique regarding his selection of roles. Landis lately spoke towards the NY Occasions about his career like a filmmaker and the ideas on Murphy. After I made 'Trading Places,' Eddie was 19 or 20 and bouncing off the beaten track with talent and would be a happy guy. After I made 'Coming to America,' it had been a couple of years later, Eddie became an worldwide star and wasn't as happy. It had been awkward on that film while he was type of a jerk, and that we were built with a real receding. But nonetheless we labored together perfectly... Eddie's really funny within this movie. He can be very funny when he really wants to be. I'm not sure if he's thinking about being really funny any longer, honestly. Ouch. Regrettably, Landis isn't alone within this. Even though some of Murphy's recent films -- 'Norbit,' 'Daddy Day Care' -- made money, they have been panned by experts, who clamor for that return from the "old Murphy." Here's a concept: an Eddie Muprhy/John Landis reunion! Although, if history informs us anything about Eddie, he might nothing like that pitch, especially after reading through the Landis comments. You should check out the whole John Landis interview, where he talks about 'An American Werewolf in London' and Jheri curl jokes, over on NYT. [via NYT] [Photo: Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook