Judge Reinhold says ‘Executive Murder Plot’ Killed ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Career

Judge Reinhold explains why his career may have stalled.

The actor, who co-stars with Eddie Murphy in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, revealed that a metaphorical “executive murder plot” stopped his attempt at a main part in the movie “Vice Versa.”

Reinhold, 67, told Vanity Fair in a June 13 feature that the 1988 “body-swap” comedy starring Fred bombed at the box office owing to similar movies coming out at the time, as well as behind-the-scenes efforts by former Columbia Pictures CEO David Putnam.

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“It was essentially an executive murder plot.” David Puttnam, who directed ‘Chariots of Fire,’ became the head of Columbia Pictures, and we all love him since he was creative and had worked on independent films,” he recalled. “The problem with David was he wanted to not just keep the price of lead actors down, but make back-end profits real.”

Puttnam served as CEO for fifteen months, from June 1986 to September 1987.

He went on to say, “I believe him. I honestly did. Unfortunately, he wasn’t around long enough to develop that formula.

“‘Vice Versa’ features an ex-wife CEO and his son finding a mysterious Tibetan skull.” The skull unleashes a supernatural force, causing the two to exchange bodies.

Vanity Fair notes the film followed a series of age-swap movies, like “Like Father, Like Son” (1987), “Big” (1988), and “18 Again!” (1988).

“What occurred was Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron’s ‘Like Father, Like Son.’ “Tri-Star Pictures rushed that film into production while we were already shooting,” stated Reinhold.

“Coca-Cola owned both enterprises. When I started the project, I understood it was a danger to be so intimately associated with the others. I know the idea has been used before. I didn’t know about the Dudley Moore film.”

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The actor from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” went on to star in “The Santa Clause” series and make cameo appearances on “Ellen,” “Monk,” and “Arrested Development,” as well as several television projects.

Reinhold appeared in all installments of the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, including a 2013 television film.

He reprises his role as Billy Rosewood in Netflix’s forthcoming film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which premieres on July 3.

The first “Beverly Hills Cop” hit the big screen in 1984, catapulting Murphy to stardom. The legendary buddy-cop action comedy spawned two sequels, both starring Murphy as the titular street-smart officer who moved to California from Detroit to look into crime and corruption.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley” brings back together Murphy and Reinhold with franchise co-stars John Ashton, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot. Newcomers to the franchise include Kevin Bacon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Taylour Paige.