Eddie Murphy has been cast as the voice of Hong Kong Phooey in a big screen version of Hanna-Barbera’s animated TV series.
Directed by Alex Zamm ( Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts ), the film will mix live action with animation.
Already well known as the voice of Donkey in the Shrek series of films, Murphy will play Penry, a mild-mannered dog who accidentally gains mystical powers. Transforming into Hong Kong Phooey, he fights crime with the help of a feline sidekick called Spot.
“We could not be happier that Eddie Murphy will star as Phooey. There is no overstating his contributions to cinema, and to such enduring stars of family entertainments such as Shrek and Dr. Dolittle ,” said producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
So much for the return to Eddie’s fast-talking, wise-cracking days that we hoped would be sparked by the upcoming Tower Heist .