'The Pickup' Takes Over Los Angeles Red Carpet
No one does a movie premiere quite like Eddie Murphy. On July 27, 2025, he and his co-stars Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson put on a show for fans at the buzzy Los Angeles premiere of their latest film, The Pickup. This wasn’t your typical night in Hollywood—a cast this loaded guaranteed both spectacle and genuine star power.
The event, held just days before the film dropped on Amazon Prime Video, was a parade of big names. Murphy rolled up with his wife, Paige Butcher, making the rounds with beaming smiles. Palmer was visible everywhere, whether posing for solo shots or joining Murphy for the iconic duo photos. Pete Davidson, casual as always, posed for press while taking his own spin around the red carpet.
If you scrolled Instagram or TikTok that night, you likely caught behind-the-scenes videos showing real friendships—Palmer clowning around with Davidson, Murphy shaking hands with NFL champ Marshawn Lynch, and Eva Longoria catching up with familiar faces. This wasn’t just glitz; cast chemistry shone through, playing out online before most audiences even pressed play on Prime Video.
From On-Set Drama to Streaming Debut
The Pickup isn’t just a fresh action-comedy—it almost didn’t come together smoothly. Filming hit a bumpy patch in April 2024, when a second-unit accident caused a stir on set. That hiccup didn’t slow director Tim Story or the rest of the crew. Looking at the packed red carpet, there were no lingering hints of last year's drama, just a full-court publicity push for a project everyone seemed proud to promote.
At the heart of the movie are Murphy and Palmer, cast as two mismatched armored truck drivers thrown together by a tense heist that quickly turns chaotic. Comedy, timing, and tension all blend as they go head-to-head with a crew of criminals. Supporting them is a punchy lineup—Longoria, Davidson, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch, Jack Kesy, Ismael Cruz Córdova, and Lara Grice. Every role lands thanks to cast chemistry, which, if the premiere energy is any clue, must have carried over from set to screen.
The film, produced by Tim Story’s Story Company, Davis Entertainment, and Murphy’s own Eddie Murphy Productions, arrives in a moment when audiences want some real fun in their action flicks. Dropping on August 6, 2025, exclusively via Prime Video, the big studio muscle and star-packed cast signaled Prime Video’s intent to own a chunk of the late-summer streaming market.
If buzz at the premiere is anything to go by, The Pickup might just pull it off. Judging by the excited crowds, all eyes are set on Eddie Murphy and company as they blend old-school laughs with new-school action for a high-octane, feel-good ride.
