Axel Foley will once again bring chaos to Beverly Hills as he returns to the city when his estranged daughter, Jane, is threatened in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Axel teams up with his old friends in Beverly Hills, Lieutenant “Billy” Rosewood and Chief John Taggart, along with Detective Bobby Abbott, Jane’s ex-boyfriend, to discover who is threatening her life. Carving a path of destruction in his search for the truth, Axel will do whatever it takes to keep Jane safe and hopefully find a way to reconnect with her as well.

Fans will be delighted to see Beverly Hills Cop franchise veterans Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, and John Ashton return with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, and Taylour Paige joining the franchise as new characters. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F has the quick-witted comedy and bombastic action that fans have come to expect, but Axel’s difficult relationship with his daughter brings a surprising amount of heart to his evolution as he must confront the choices he’s made in his life. Mark Molloy took the mantel as director with Murphy not just starring in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, but serving as a producer along with Jerry Bruckheimer.

Screen Rant interviewed stars Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt about Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The two stars shared their connection to the Beverly Hills Cop franchise initially as fans, before they broke down how their characters stand out from other cops in this franchise. Bacon also gave a disappointing update on The Toxic Avenger movie’s release date.

“This Time, The Bad Guy’s A Beverly Hills Cop”

Bacon and Gordon-Levitt reflect on their first experience with the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Bacon remembers seeing it in theaters and instantly knowing that Murphy “was here for the long haul.” While Gordon-Levitt admitted he probably watched the movie younger than he should have, but was excited because of his older brother’s love for it.

Kevin Bacon: It was the same year [as Footloose]. That was a great year for movies; people have reminded us of some of the fun films that were coming out that year. Of course, I saw it. I used to go to movies. I still go to the movies all the time.

I don’t remember the actual time, but I almost can guarantee that it was in Manhattan, and that I went because it was a great movie to see. I loved it. I already was a big fan of Eddie’s by the time Beverly Hills Cop came out. He had done buddy films, and this was his thing. It was really clear that he was here for the long haul.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: I remember watching Beverly Hills Cop when I was really young. Probably too young to be watching that movie, but my older brother was a huge Eddie Murphy fan. When your older brother loves something, it takes on a certain ultra-coolness, you know what I mean? That was Eddie Murphy for me. Now, to get to be playing the sidekick in the new Beverly Hills Cop movie? It’s incredible.

Gordon-Levitt explained how his character stands out from the traditional action hero cop, like Axel Foley, and how they clash a bit making him an ideal sidekick or partner. Bacon broke down the motivation for the villain and how he stands out from the other villains in this franchise.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Bobby Abbott… I like to think of him as a new kind of cop action hero guy. He’s not just the dude that’s going to be like, “Who do I have to beat up to save the day?” He’s empathetic. He’s someone who’s got some emotional intelligence and can understand what someone else is thinking.

That means if you pair him with Axel Foley, and Axel tries his normal tricks, Bobby’s going to see through it. He’s a formidable sidekick, and I like that. I think that’s one of the things that works about this movie. There are a bunch of conventions in it, but all of them are a little bit turned on their head or nuanced.

Kevin Bacon: This time, the bad guy’s a Beverly Hills cop. He is a guy who has a lot of resentment for his current situation. He’s convinced himself that he hasn’t gotten a fair deal and that he needs to cash out; that it’s time for him to cash out. And he’ll do anything that he can to get his cash.

Kevin Bacon Has No Update On The Toxic Avenger Wide Release Date

Although The Toxic Avenger debuted at Fantastic Fest last year before playing at Beyond Fest and The 56th Sitges Film Festival, it has yet to have a wide release date announced. Fans are still eagerly awaiting news about when they will be able to see The Toxic Avenger’s new adventure, but Bacon sadly doesn’t have any answers at this time.

Kevin Bacon: Yeah, I don’t have an update on that. It was fun, though, to get a chance to work with Taylour [Paige] twice in a row. As you see, she’s a fantastic actress, and I loved what she did in Beverly Hills Cop. Her connection with Eddie is really moving. I’m a father of a daughter, and I’m not an absentee father, but there was a lot about that relationship that I found really touching.

About Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Axel Foley has returned to Beverly Hills after his daughter Jane’s life is threatened. She and Axel team up with her ex-boyfriend and his old pals, John Taggart and Billy Rosewood, to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy.

Check out our other Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F interviews:

• Eddie Murphy
• Jerry Bruckheimer & Mark Molloy
• Judge Reinhold & John Ashton

Source: Screen Rant Plus