It looks like heist movies will be the dominant genre in film in the next couple of years. Today it was announced that Pete Davidson will join Eddie Murphy on “The Pickup,” a heist comedy for Amazon MGM. Tim Story will direct the “SNL” alums on the project and also produce through his The Story Company. Other producers on board the movie include Davis Entertainment‘s John Davis and John Fox, and Murphy and Charisse Hewitt-Webster via Eddie Murphy Productions.
As for what “The Pickup” is about, plot details are under wraps. But teaming up Davidson with Murphy may be a stroke of genius for Amazon MGM. While the Davidson-led “Bupkis” didn’t bring in viewers on Peacock, Davidson fared better in “Dumb Money” this Fall. The stand-up comic also hosted the first episode of the current “SNL” season. Other upcoming projects for Davidson include Lionsgate‘s thriller “The Home,” David Michôd‘s “Wizards!” for A24, and the crime ensemble drama “Riff Raff.”
As for Mr. Murphy, “Candy Cane Lane” premiered on Prime Video earlier this month, and a trailer for Netflix‘s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley” dropped today. “Candy Cane Lane” quickly became Amazon MGM Studio’s most-watched movie on the streamer after its release (not saying much), but it proves Murphy is still a hot commodity, comedically speaking. Expect “Axel Foley” on Netflix in mid-2024.
What else about “The Pickup”? Executive producers on the film include The Story Company’s Vicky Mara Story, Jeremy Stein through Davis Entertainment, and Kevin Burrows, Ross Fanger, and Matt Mider. And if “Candy Cane Lane” is any indication, “The Pickup” will be easy money for Amazon MGM, even though it’s yet another heist comedy after a potential “Ocean’s 14“ and the one Shawn Levy will direct for Ryan Reynolds.
