Eddie Murphy leaves his hard-talking 80s persona even further behind with new kids' pic "Daddy Day Care". It follows on from other family-friendly fare such as "Mulan", "Shrek", and "Dr Dolittle". He'll next be seen in another family flick, Disney's "The Haunted Mansion".
You're a dad. How much did this role resonate with you?
My life is nothing like the "Daddy Day Care" life. Me around the house is nothing like the "Daddy Day Care" dad. He does a lot of diaper changing and all that kind of stuff. I do very little. I shut down at that. I can't do that. I wouldn't do a good job.
Tell us about Khamani Griffin, the little boy who plays your son...
He was only three but he's so talented. He has all these natural gifts. He's really, really smart and really, really cute. He's just a natural actor.
You work with this whole group of kids. And you know the saying 'Never work with children or animals'...
Yes. Well, I've worked with both - I was Dr. Dolittle and I did this. But these kids aren't like your regular kids. They searched through thousands of kids and auditioned loads of kids, and they got the best well adjusted and the smartest little kids that would be easy to work with. So, for the most part, it was smooth sailing, with no kid problems.
What about the challenge of working with such young children?
The thing about kids is that they express emotion. They don't hold back. If they want to cry, they cry, and if they are in a good mood, they're in a good mood. I would do a scene with a little kid and they'd turn to me afterwards and say, "I love you Eddie Murphy." That's a new thing for me, to have my costar in a scene turn to me and tell me they love me. In "48 HRS.", Nick Nolte never turned to me and went "I love you Ed"!
People seem to respond to you now as family comedy guy. How does that sit with you?
I think it's the age that I am. I'm 42 and the age of a guy who has kids, so I guess I'm playing right where I'm supposed to be. I'm comfortable with that, but in the same breath I'd do something edgy. If someone came to me and offered me an edgy and funny story, then I'd do it.
What about straight drama, doing a serious role?
Why is that an issue? I think it's all acting. I don't think more concentration is required for Robert De Niro to do what he does as for Jim Carrey to do what he does. I don't think people want to see me in a drama. People associate me with comedy. I'm in the comedy business. I'm all about the laugh.
