When recent rumors of Eddie Murphy's supposed immanent retirement began floating around the internet last month, I admit I was surprised at how vitriolic many were towards the comedy great. Shut up already, they seemed to scream in unison.

If you're one of those people, well, we've got some good news, and some bad news.

"This picture I'm doing now called "A Thousand Words" is like nothing I’ve ever done before. It's not a kids movie, a family movie. It's a really, funny smart picture. Different," Murphy told MTV News. "I play this literary agent who finds out he only has 1000 words left to say and then he's going to die." Read more...

It's easy to rag on the team at Fox for their recent publicity stunt involving a giant Eddie Murphy head traveling by truck around the country, as featured on Deadline Hollywood Daily and about a zillion other Web sites and blogs. But then the fact that it was featured on about a zillion Web sites and blogs kinda proves that it was at least sort of effective, even if most people were probably laughing at rather than laughing with.

But which of the two was Murphy doing?

We got a chance to be the first to show Murphy a picture of his own giant head, and his reaction was pretty hilarious and — for those of you worried about whether he might tone down "Beverly Hills Cop IV" — pretty full of profanity as well.

Murphy is next in "Meet Dave," the story of an alien crew who uses a Murphy spaceship to crash land on Earth. The film opens July 11.

What do you think of the head? Effective or creepy? Sound off below.

First, the crappy sequel gods came for John McClane, and Eddie Murphy said nothing because he was not John McClane. Then they came for Indiana Jones, and Eddie Murphy said nothing because he was not Indiana Jones. Then they came for Axel Foley, and who was left to speak? Eddie friggin Murphy, that's who!

You can read all about how and why "Beverly Hills Cop 4” is soon coming to a theater near you here, including Eddie's thoughts on profanity, but in the meantime Mr. Murphy wants you to know one very important thing: he is not just running through the motions.

"All I know is that it's gonna be something that's special. I'm not doing just, hey give me some big check and I go off [does the Foley laugh] and shoot the gun and jump over cars," Murphy told MTV News. "Like, that's some bullsh-t. If I do it, it's gonna be some sh-t that's right!" Read more...

With the recent announcement that Brett Ratner would be directing a fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" movie 15 years after his last big-screen adventure, we wanted to know, where exactly is Axel Foley these days?

"Probably in Detroit," laughed Ratner, who is currently working with star Eddie Murphy on Foley's fourth big-screen adventure, where he will no doubt once again find himself improbably making his way back to the California coast.

And why not? Rambo did it. So did John McClane. Indiana Jones is doing it right now. There's no doubt that it's been the year of the aging action star. That makes it the perfect time to reintroduce the character to a whole new audience, Ratner insisted. Read more...

Article by Gil Kaufman

Our own Larry Carroll gave us a preview of the 2007 Golden Raspberry Award nominees a few weeks ago from his insider perspective as a Razzies voter, tipping us off to the fact that the 28th annual awards might be the only chance for Lindsay Lohan to get any hardware this year. With the official nominations now out, Lohan leads with nine, thanks to the box office mega-bomb “I Know Who Killed Me,” not to be outdone by Eddie Murphy, who was close behind with eight nods for his latest we-get-it-you’re-funny-in-a-fat-suit-and-drag snoozer, “Norbit.”

Lohan, who scored the first-ever twofer in the Worst Actress category (one for each twin she played in the movie), will face off against Murphy for Worst Screen Couple (each playing opposite themselves), and her flick also notched nods for Worst Excuse for a Horror Movie, Worst Screenplay, Worst Director and Worst Remake or Rip-off. Read more...

One of the best parts of being an entertainment journalist is getting a vote in the annual Golden Raspberry Awards, and this year's nominees once again offer a welcome opportunity to strike back at all the really, really bad movies we had to sit through in the past year.

The 28th annual nominations are led by free-falling film star Lindsay Lohan, whose "I Know Who Killed Me" landed her nominations as both Worst Actress and Worst Screen Couple (since she played twins in the flick). Topping her, however, is Eddie Murphy in "Norbit," nominated for Worst Actor (as his character Norbit), Worst Supporting Actor (as Mr. Wong), Worst Supporting Actress (as Rasputia) and Worst Screen Couple. Could Murphy follow up last year's Oscar nomination with a sweep of acting Razzies? Read more...

Once again, we deliver up your platter of links, with news today on Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, "Transformers 2," and more.

- "Transformers" writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci teamed with Ehren Kruger for robot sequel. (Hollywood Reporter)

- Ligers, and tigers, and, umm, pumapards! Oh my! Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley play scientists who create animal hybrids in thriller "Splice." (Hollywood Reporter)

- Eddie Murphy to star in "A Thousand Words," about a man who learns he only has 1,000 words left before he dies. (Variety)

- A naked Will Ferrell? Count us in for this "Semi-Pro" teaser. (Funny or Die)

- Another update from "Mummy" director Rob Cohen, with the first pics of Mario Bello. (Rob Cohen)

- McG to direct "Terminator 4”? (CHUD)

Everything old is new again today, with some news on beloved characters from TV, film, and comics making a comeback. And what's with the sass from those old farts in the corner? (And may we not rot in movie hell for calling the man who directed "The Godfather" an old fart.)

- Shazam! Captain Marvel to be played by The Rock? (ComingSoon.net)

- John Connor to face Terminators...again. (Variety...and our take)

- "Spider-Man 3” is "silly," George Lucas says. (Fox News)

-- "Fantasy" comes true for Eddie Murphy. (Hollywood Reporter)

- Coppola's "Megalopolis" shelved after 9/11. (AICN)

- Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones and Matthew Macfadyen join Ron Howard's "Frost/Nixon". (Hollywood Reporter)