Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer Share Their Experiences Working with Eddie Murphy on The Pickup

Following in Eddie Murphy’s footsteps is one thing; working alongside him is an extraordinary experience. Pete Davidson embodies this sentiment, having transitioned from being a Saturday Night Live alumni to co-starring with Murphy in the new action-comedy The Pickup, directed by Tim Story, who also helmed The Blackening. The Pickup features Murphy and Davidson as armored truck guards who find themselves wrapped up in a web of deceit spun by a sleek thief, portrayed by Keke Palmer, resulting in a complex heist.

In this delightful blend of action and comedy, this unconventional duo navigates unfamiliar territory, leading to a series of humorous situations. Both Davidson and Palmer expressed their deep appreciation for the opportunity to work with Murphy during a conversation with Alesha Williams Boyd. Palmer shared, “It was a dream come true. I mean, he’s someone I’ve admired since childhood. My whole family is a fan of his work. He’s an icon… Just observing him was like a master class. I’m very observant, so I soaked in as much as I could.”

Davidson echoed this sentiment, noting how working with Murphy was a way to impress his own family. He warmly compared his co-star, affectionately dubbed “the GOAT,” to one of his uncles, adding, “I think he really likes me.” In a separate conversation, Murphy confirmed this unique bond, stating, “Pete and I share a lot in common… Despite our differences—he’s tall at 6’3″ and I’m 5’10”, and we come from different backgrounds—we’re both stand-up comics who became actors and both lost our dads at a young age.”

Murphy further reflected on Davidson’s role in The Pickup, noting that it’s reminiscent of the kind of role he would have embraced not long ago, likening it to his famous Beverly Hills Cop character, Axel Foley. “In this movie, I’m the voice of reason. Many times in my previous action-comedies, I would have played the Pete character, the young wild guy. But now, I get to showcase humor from this different perspective, which is refreshing.”

This sentiment was shared by Davidson, who remarked, “Everybody loves and wants to be in Eddie’s world. There’s a very select few who get to do that, and I’m truly honored.” As for Murphy’s aspirations, he expressed a desire to collaborate with Pete again in the future. So, could a sequel to The Pickup be on the horizon? Only time will tell. The Pickup will be available on Prime Video starting August 6.