A while back, Brett Ratner told MTV that he wanted Beverly Hills Cop 4 to have the same effect on 10 and 12-year-old kids that the original had on him. From this, many inferred that he wanted to make a PG film (since 10 and 12-year-olds are generally discouraged from seeing R-Rated movies).  LatinoReview recently asked Ratner to clarify.

"Don’t believe everything you read on the internet," Ratner said.  "Believe me, this is going to be a hardcore ‘R’ Beverly Hills Cop.  I start shooting next year."

So there it is, folks, straight from the horse’s ass. Er, mouth.  But wait, there’s a problem.  Because according to Extra, Eddie Murphy is retiring. 

"Meet Dave" star Eddie Murphy is dishing [Ever notice how only annoying gossip columnists ever use this word in this context?] to "Extra’s" Tanika Ray about leaving the movie business for good after the release of his latest film. "I have close to fifty movies and it’s like, why am I in the movies?" he said, adding, "I’ve done that part now. I’ll go back to the stage and do standup."  Murphy, 47, said that while a "Beverly Hills Cop 4" flick was in the works, he didn’t want to do it, because "the movie wasn’t ready to be done."

Well done on turning down Brett Ratner, Mr. Murphy.  Gee, I wonder if Chris Tucker’s available.  Still, retiring right after making Meet Dave is like sitting in the left-hand turn lane with your blinker on for ten minutes while no cars pass and then turning directly in front of an oncoming semi.  Filled with ox vomit. I have no idea why a truck would be carrying that, but I stand by my simile.

I try to use this clip in conjunction with any Ratner-related post. Never forget.

Eddie Murphy is back for Beverly Hills Cop 4, with BRETT RATNER in final talks to direct. 

    Murphy approached the studio about reviving the franchise that cemented his status as a B.O. mega-star. Par brass were eager to land another picture with Murphy after he finished the Karey Kirkpatrick-directed "NowhereLand," which Paramount releases in June 2009.
    The studio canvassed a number of directors before choosing Ratner.  [Variety]

I can’t imagine a reason a studio would go with Brett Ratner, whom everyone hates, rather than pretty much anyone else.  That’s like looking for a plastic surgeon and choosing the guy who killed Kanye West’s mom because, hey, at least you can remember his name.  I will say this about a Ratner/Murphy partnership though – that set will probably be a great place to pick up trannies.