Murphy set to do more of 'Dolittle'

Levin scripting; Fox looking for helmer

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Eddie Murphy and Fox are near a deal that will pay him $20 million against 20% of the gross to star in a sequel to "Dr. Dolittle," with production expected to begin by the fall.

Murphy, who's starring in the Imagine sequel to "The Nutty Professor," will reprise his role as the title character in the Fox comedy that grossed more than $240 million worldwide and brought the actor his biggest opening weekend -- $29 million.

The studio has a script by Larry Levin, who wrote the original. He's now working on a second draft. The film will be produced by John Davis, Joseph Singer and David Friendly.

Murphy, who has built his bankability sequelizing past hits ("Beverly Hills Cop" and "48 Hours"), hit the $20 million against 20% pay plateau with the "Nutty Professor" sequel and has long been receptive to the idea of a "Dolittle" sequel (Daily Variety, Oct. 15, 1998).

He is next committed to star with Halle Berry for director Ron Underwood in Castle Rock's "Pluto Nash," then is likely to begin "Dolittle II" right after. The studio will now zero in on hiring a director to replace Betty Thomas, who's not returning. Murphy is repped by William Morris' Jim Wiatt.