Thursday, August 11, 2011

NEWS: Eddie Murphy to Voice Hong Kong Phooey


Hong Kong Phooey is the latest vintage property to get the big screen treatment.

The original cartoon - which ran for just 16 episodes in 1974 - tells the story of Penry, the police station's ''mild-mannered janitor'' who - when danger arises - transforms into ''Number One Super Guy'' Hong Kong Phooey. Aided by his cat, Spot, Hong Kong Phooey battles crime in his transforming Phooeymobile and using martial techniques from his trusty Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu. Despite being utterly incompetent (Spot is the one who usually catches the bad guys) Hong Kong Phooey is seen as a hero to all in the city. Interestingly nobody ever notices that he - or his alter ego - is a dog...

HitFix reports that Eddie Murphy has signed-up to voice the dual roles of Hong Kong Phooey and Penry, a role originally made famous by Scatman Crothers. There's no word yet on whether he'll also be singing the theme tune. Murphy is no stranger to voice work, having previously provided - among other things - the voice of Donkey in the Shrek movies.

No word yet on when we can expect to see the live-action/CG-hybrid Hong Kong Phooey movie but we'll bring you more when we have it.

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