Third Nutty Professor On the Way?

Published by Jeff Leins on: November 19th, 2008

Universal and Imagine Entertainment are in the early stages of adding another installment to the Nutty Professor series.

The “original” with Eddie Murphy in 1996 was actually a remake of the 1963 version.  Sherman Klump tries a scientific remedy and becomes a thin, obnoxious ladies man.  That movie made $128 million domestically, 8th largest for the year.  Then there was a sequel in 2000 called Nutty Professor II: The Klumps about trying to find eternal youth.  It made about $123 million.

Murphy played seven parts in the first movie and eight in the second.  That means he needs to perform nine different roles to keep the streak alive.  Well, if Eddie Murphy decides to return to the series.  The trades reported he’s waiting to see a script, but I have no doubt Eddie will sign if they decide to make another.  He’s making a new Beverly Hills Cop after all these years, why not Nutty Professor?  He’ll do anything.

The studios have put out an “open call” for writers to pitch their sequel idea.  I’ve submitted my name in the running under the script title “Nutty Professor III: Fat Suits Just Got a Little Nuttier.”  Keep your fingers crossed.  This could be my big break.

Update: They made an animated sequel to the original 1963 version with Jerry Lewis.  It’s called The Nutty Professor 2: Facing the Fear.