Shrek legend Eddie Murphy has been cast in a new fantasy film, M’Tali: The Everlasting Spring.
Eddie Murphy has been cast in his daughter Bria’s animated family fantasy film.
The 65-year-old star has reportedly joined South African actress Ama Qamata in the voice cast of M’Tali: The Everlasting Spring, which is being written by his daughter Bria Murphy and Michael Xavier.
According to Deadline, Qamata will star as the film’s heroine Princess Selani, with Murphy playing her evil uncle Vakoro.
The logline for the original story reads: “[The film] follows Princess Selani of the African kingdom of M’tali who longs for adventure but quietly dreads the responsibilities waiting for her as future queen.
“When a coup separates her from her family and kingdom, she finds herself in the Forbidden Jungle inhabited by a mysterious family who have discovered the legendary Everlasting Spring, a magical water said to preserve youth forever.
There she must reckon with her uncle’s ambitions and uncover what, beyond any single artifact, truly sustains a kingdom.”
The movie will be Murphy’s first animated film outside of 1998’s Mulan and the Shrek franchise.
Producer Autumn Bailey-Ford said in a statement: “As a mother of a four-year-old son, I’m always looking for stories I can share with him that show a child what true strength looks like.
“M’tali does that. Selani leads with heart, curiosity and faith in her people, not with power.
“I’m proud to help bring a story rooted in African culture to the screen, with a family this talented behind it, and with Eddie Murphy leading the way.”
Murphy will be back as Donkey in Shrek 5, while DreamWorks have also confirmed the wisecracking sidekick will be getting his own spinoff film.
Donkey! is set to drop in June 2028, and will serve as an origin story exploring how an ordinary donkey became the talkative and endlessly optimistic companion audiences met in the original Shrek.
Meanwhile, last month it was confirmed Murphy will make his live action scripted TV debut in Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner’s new series The Chairman.
The drama is in development at Peacock and is waiting to be greenlit, while further details are being kept under wraps.
Eddie Murphy joins animated fantasy film written by his daughter
