Eddie Murphy is heading for “Fantasy Island”. The star of “Norbit”, “The Nutty Professor” and who voices Donkey in all three “Shrek” pictures is now attached to star in a big screen version of the ABC television series that ran from 1978 to 1984. Just as he did in his two “Nutty Professor” movies, Murphy will play a variety of characters in the “Fantasy Island” film although it’s not known if he will step into the shoes of Mr. Roarke (played by Ricardo Montalban), Tattoo (played by Herve Villechaize) or both caretakers of the island paradise. While the TV series was played out as a drama the movie version will be a family-oriented comedy. Aside from the former SNL cast member no other cast members have been hired and Columbia Pictures has not staked out a release date.
Right now Eddie’s career is on fire. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar earlier this year for his performance in “Dreamgirls” and he is about to be heard by millions of children as the loveable Donkey in “Shrek the Third”. Currently Murphy is making “Starship Dave” for 20th Century Fox, a sci-fi comedy that will be out next summer about a human-sized spaceship filled with miniature aliens.
