CBS has ordered a "Beverly Hills Cop" pilot, a Shawn Ryan-produced project that would feature Eddie Murphy turning up as police detective Axel Foley to help launch a series about his son.
The high-profile continuation of the 29-year-old franchise was one of three pilots CBS ordered Tuesday. The others are the multi-camera sitcom "Friends With Better Lives," about a group of thirtysomethings friends, each of whom thinks his or her friends are better off, and the drama "Backstrom," from "Bones" creator Hart Hanson.
Murphy will appear at least in the pilot of "Beverly Hills Cop," written by Ryan, creator of "The Shield." Ryan will executive produce the Sony series with Marney Hochman. Brandon T. Jackson plays Foley's son, who is also a police officer who takes down criminals among the rich and famous.
"Friends With Better Lives" from 20th Television in association with Kapital Entertainment, is written and executive produced by Dana Klein. Aaron Kaplan also executive produces.
"Backstrom," also from 20th Television, is written by Hanson, who executive produces along with Leif G.W. Persson and Niclas Salomonsson. Based on a Swedish book series by Persson, it follows "an overweight, offensive, irascible detective as he tries, and fails, to change his self-destructive behavior," according to CBS.