Imagine the comedic brilliance of the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop, which has secured its place as one of the most iconic and hilarious movies of its time, if not in cinematic history. However, the film’s journey to success was anything but straightforward. Now, envision Sylvester Stallone taking on the lead role in a film that ultimately became synonymous with Eddie Murphy‘s comedic genius. Although Stallone is a beloved figure in the action genre, his attempts at comedy have not always been well-received. Initially, Stallone was set to star in Beverly Hills Cop, which was originally envisioned as a straightforward action film that would only transition into a comedic direction once Murphy joined the cast.
The original script of Beverly Hills Cop, penned by Daniel Petrie Jr., was a reflection of his vision until Stallone entered the picture. Aiming to align the screenplay with his own cinematic style, Stallone undertook a significant rewrite, shifting the narrative focus from comedy to a more action-heavy plot. His draft, spanning 115 pages, was submitted on March 30, 1984, just two months before filming commenced with Eddie Murphy, highlighting the rapid changes made to the original storyline.
For Stallone, the transformation of Beverly Hills Cop was not just a matter of personal branding; he was determined to craft a character that resonated with his audience. He found the original protagonist’s name, “Foley,” to be too cliché, opting instead for the more formidable surname “Cobretti,” which fans may recognize from his 1986 film Cobra. This change was one of several adaptations Stallone made, yet the core structure and narrative of the film remained largely intact. While Stallone has received accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Rocky, screenwriting has never been his primary strength, which is evident in his approach to this script.
A review of Stallone’s version of the Beverly Hills Cop script by the team at ScriptShadow provides insightful commentary: “The script doesn’t resonate as strongly as the comedic version, but it still possesses a solid foundation. Although the humor is less pronounced, the emotional stakes are heightened, particularly with the tragic backstory involving the protagonist’s brother.” In this alternate narrative, Michael is not merely a childhood friend of Axel but rather his brother, adding an additional layer of emotional depth to Axel’s motivations throughout the film.
The most notable alteration lies in the emotional intensity that Stallone aimed to incorporate into Beverly Hills Cop, a characteristic he often infused into his films, even those with lighter themes. While it’s conceivable that a more dramatic interpretation of Beverly Hills Cop could have succeeded, it’s unlikely that it would have been celebrated as a classic within the cop-action genre, which relies heavily on humor and charisma to engage audiences.
How do you think Sylvester Stallone’s version of Beverly Hills Cop would have turned out? Dive into the script and share your thoughts with us!
