Christophe Peyroux is the new Eddie Murphy. At least his new French voice, chosen by the American star and his teams, to ensure the dubbing of “A Prince in New York 2”. Meeting with the actor around this vocal challenge.
Successor to Med Hondo. A real challenge as the comedian with the legendary timbre, who died in 2019, marked three decades of cinema, and in particular the filmography of Eddie Murphy which he dubbed in French version and accompanied since his debut in 1982 in 48 hours. The Beverly Hills Cop, A Prince in New York or Shrek: so many feature films that would not have been quite the same without the voice of Med Hondo.
Christophe Peyroux, who notably dubbed Anthony Anderson, Anthony Mackie or Omar Epps, and distinguished himself on the French language series On Listening, The Good Wife or How I Met Your Mother, among others, had the difficult task of slipping in the skin of Eddie Murphy on A Prince in New York 2. And, therefore, to succeed Med Hondo as the comedian’s “new French voice”. Meet.
AlloCiné: What does Eddie Murphy represent to you? And what does this opportunity represent as a new French voice on “Un Prince à New York 2”?
Christophe Peyroux : Eddie Murphy is first of all, the 80s. 48 heures, Un chair pour deux, Le Cop de Beverly Hills … A talented and humorous new actor. It is therefore a great pride for me and a huge desire to go further in my profession as a dubbing actor with this artist.
It’s an opportunity … and at the same time a huge challenge as the voice of Med Hondo has become inseparable from Eddie Murphy. Did you hesitate before accepting?
No, I did not hesitate but I was very anxious at the idea of replacing Med.
What is the approach when you succeed a legendary voice like that of Med Hondo and when you overtake a comedian as important as Eddie Murphy: stick to doubling Eddie Murphy at best or trying to get closer to what Med Hondo would have possibly done?
Above all, do not imitate. First of all, I don’t know how to do that and I think that, even if it means changing my voice, I might as well propose what I am. I tried to stick as close as possible to Eddie Murphy’s game.
How exactly does a vocal casting take place, to explain to viewers who are not familiar with the world of dubbing?
One or two scenes of the film are recorded which are then sent to the United States for validation.
This nod to another Eddie Murphy film repeated 33 years later!
In this sequel, Eddie Murphy once again plays a whole gallery of characters. How did you approach these multiple roles, with very different personalities and accents?
Watching and listening to what he had done and sticking to it as much as possible with my vocal abilities. I admit that being a singer also helped me a lot.
The current, over-connected era immediately gives you back how French viewers can receive your voice. What state of mind are you in regarding that? Are you going to read the feedback or would you rather cut yourself off from the comments?
I can understand that people find it difficult to change their habits, and I can hear constructive criticism. But the first things I read made me get away from it all very quickly… I did my job as best I could, taking immense pleasure in it.
What do you want to say to spectators and fans of Eddie Murphy?
That like them he has aged, but remains a very talented artist. And as far as her new French voice is concerned, in this world that goes at two hundred an hour, take the time to get used to it again …
What memories do you have of the first “A Prince in New York”? Have you seen it again to immerse yourself in it? And what do you think of this sequel?
Yes, I saw him again. I kept the memory of a very good comedy and especially of an extraordinary actor who interpreted several characters. Which was, at the time, quite innovative. This sequel takes me back to those 80s. And like me, Prince Akeem has matured …
The poster for the play “The Heart in the Same Place”
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You have a personal story with Med Hondo, who dubbed your dad on a movie. Can you tell us more? And do you therefore experience the situation as a kind of “loop that comes full circle”?
Indeed Med Hondo dubbed my father Mansour Diouf in a Senegalese film by Djibril Diop Mambéty entitled Hyènes. I admit that it made me feel weird to hear Med’s voice, but again we have to admit that he did a great job. I had the opportunity to talk to him about it when we met in the studio. Today, taking over is a heavy task but also a great honor. So yes, the circle is complete … even if for my part I still have a lot of things to do! (Laughs) Thanks to the chances of life.
Beyond “A Prince in New York 2”, what is your news, necessarily limited by the health crisis? Are there any theater projects? of music ? movies ? dubbing?
Yes ! I play with a great partner, the actress / musician Virginie Lange, the play The Heart in the same place that I wrote that takes place in the middle of the piano bar (therefore musical) with arrangements by my friend Jean-Luc Thibault, pianist / arranger. And I really hope that as soon as we get out of this fucking crisis, we can get back on stage.
A Prince in New York, 1988 vs 2021: Eddie Murphy and the cast then and today
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A Prince in New York, 1988 vs 2021: Eddie Murphy and the cast then and today
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