Eddie Murphy Shares Sidney Poitier's Advice on 'Malcolm X'

Synopsis

Eddie Murphy revealed in an interview that Sidney Poitier advised him against taking the role in 'Malcolm X.' Initially put together by Norman Jewison, the project was later directed by Spike Lee with Denzel Washington in the lead role. Murphy reflected on the impact of Poitier's guidance during the documentary 'Number One on the Call Sheet.'

Key Takeaways

Eddie Murphy shared Poitier's advice on 'Malcolm X.'
Initially, Norman Jewison was set to direct.
Spike Lee later took over the project.
Denzel Washington was cast as the lead.
Murphy reflected on the advice he received from Sidney Poitier.

Los Angeles, April 2 (NationPress) Hollywood luminary Eddie Murphy disclosed that actor-director Sidney Poitier advised him against taking the role in ‘Malcolm X’, a project initially spearheaded by Poitier’s ‘In the Heat of the Night’ director, Norman Jewison.

However, later on, Spike Lee assumed control of the film, casting Denzel Washington in the leading role, according to reports from ‘Variety’.

During a discussion for the Apple TV+ documentary ‘Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood’ (via Entertainment Weekly), Eddie Murphy shared his experience: “They were discussing the production of ‘Malcolm X’,” Murphy recounted. “Norman Jewison was assembling the project. They intended to adapt ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ by Alex Haley. They approached me about portraying Alex Haley. Meanwhile, I ran into Sidney Poitier at an event, and I mentioned, ‘Yeah, I’m considering playing Alex Haley.’ Sidney Poitier responded, ‘You are not Denzel and you are not Morgan. You are a breath of fresh air, and don’t mess with that.’”

“I wasn't sure if it was an insult or a compliment,” Murphy reflected regarding the comparison to Washington and Freeman. “I was like, ‘What?’”.

According to ‘Variety’, pondering why Poitier viewed him differently from other actors, Murphy suggested he was in “uncharted waters.”

“For Sidney and the others, when I arrived, it was something somewhat unprecedented,” Murphy explained. “They had no reference for me and couldn’t offer advice, as I was just 20 or 21 years old, and my audience was the mainstream, everywhere. My films reached audiences globally, and they had never witnessed that with a young Black actor before. Thus, no one could really guide me. Everything escalated very quickly and significantly.”

With Spike Lee directing and Washington in the lead, ‘Malcolm X’ received significant critical acclaim and box office success, earning Washington an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Murphy would eventually have his opportunity for more serious roles in films like ‘Dreamgirls’, which garnered him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.