Eddie Murphy decks the halls in 'Candy Cane Lane'
For “Candy Cane Lane,” his first-ever holiday movie, Eddie Murphy celebrates in El Segundo, aka Christmas Central.
Screenwriter Kelly Younger’s childhood experiences on the real Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo inspired this wild, magical trip with elves, spells and what is easily several tons of Christmas decorations.
Murphy, 62, is Chris, determined this year to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. Only Chris unwittingly signs a contract with Jillian Bell’s elf Penny who casts a serious spell. Here comes the 12 Days of Christmas LIVE!
Chaos ensues as Chris, his wife (Tracee Ellis Ross) and their three kids band together to stop Pepper and bring peace to the Lane.
Director Reginald Hudlin last worked with Murphy on “Boomerang,” over 30 years ago. “What happened,” said Hudlin in a virtual press conference yesterday, “we had been talking with Amazon, and I said, ‘I want to do a Christmas movie’ and they said, ‘We have a Christmas movie and Eddie Murphy wants to do it.’”
Their reunion? “A no brainer,” Murphy said. “The script was unique. It had all the elements of a Christmas movie you can watch over and over again. The movies I liked when I was young, we watched them all the time. I thought this would be a good one like that.”
Ross added, “This is what makes an iconic Christmas film: Love, family and a message at the center of it, that the family comes together to conquer a rogue elf.
“It’s an adventure comedy Christmas movie,” she continued, “with action, children, lots of lights and decoration. Special effects – and Eddie Murphy. We hope it becomes a holiday classic.”
Hudlin’s family film depend on its three kids. “I’m working with two of the best,” he said, “so these kids have to be at that level: Thaddeus J. Mixson, Genneya Walton and Madison Thomas.”
“I was nervous,” admitted Mixson. “I was watching Eddie on TV and now I’m sharing a screen? I’m truly honored.”
“I’ve been in this business 47 years,” Murphy revealed. “What I ask is: Are you funny? And even more important, Do you know when you’re not funny?
“Tracee’s game and likes to improvise,” he noted approvingly. “She’s always trying to make the scene real. She’ll go for it.”
“He’s hilarious,” Ross said, returning the complement, “but what makes everyone hilarious around him is because he’s so generous. It’s not all about Eddie being the funniest person in the scene.
“For Eddie it’s based on being real, so there is a connection that has to be there to come across the right way. That’s what makes it fun and makes it work.”
“Candy Cane Lane” streams on Prime Video Dec. 1
