[Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley] is the fourth film in a series that has been in development on Netflix for years. So naturally, the film will be released on the streaming platform. However, such speculation may be wrong.

According to a report from Moviehole (opens in new tab) citing anonymous sources, Netflix may release "Beverly Hills Cop 4" theatrically. Those who want to see Eddie Murphy reprise his role as Axel Foley on the big screen may be in luck. Of course, the film will likely move from theaters to Netflix's streaming catalog.

While it may seem odd for Netflix to release its own films in theaters, it is not unprecedented, especially for such a high-profile film (such as "The Glass Onion/Nives Out Mystery"). Over the past few years, many of Netflix's films have had limited theatrical releases. Typically, this is either because the filmmakers (opens in new tab) requested it or to ensure eligibility for major awards, as with Martin Scorsese and "The Irishman" (opens in new tab).

Academy Award eligibility, for example, requires that a film have at least one week of paid admission in commercial theaters in Los Angeles County, which is hardly unusual since Netflix has received numerous Academy Award nominations and won several times.

As noted above, the sequel to Knives out, Glass Onion, was also released in theaters. The one-week limited release in over 600 theaters across the U.S. is 30 days before its Netflix debut; Netflix has not revealed the reason for the change in its usual release mode, but a 45-day theatrical run (as most studios, including Disney and Warner Bros.) are rumored to be considering doing so.

Other possibilities include Netflix trying a new kind of marketing to promote the streaming release, or that writer/director Rian Johnson requested it. Given Johnson's comments (open in new tab) about the larger audience and the atmosphere of watching "Glass Onion," he does not seem disappointed.

Netflix does not release box office figures, so it is unclear how much "Glass Onion" made in its opening weekend. However, The Hollywood Reporter (opens in new tab) states that it earned between $12.7 million and $13 million at the North American box office over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. This is apparently the best Thanksgiving debut for an adult film.

Given this, it makes sense that Netflix would reconsider its distribution model for films like "Beverly Hills Cop 4." Eddie Murphy is a huge star, if not as big a box office draw as he once was, and he returns to one of his most iconic roles. And it's a role from a time before he joined the PG-13 team. Of all the movies Netflix could release, this one may have the highest box office potential.

Of course, this is only a rumor for now, and Netflix has previously denied that it intends to pivot to a broader theatrical release model. So we'll just have to wait and see how this one pans out.

"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley" is currently in production, with filming beginning at the end of August 2022; it is unclear when it will be released on Netflix, but there are reports of a 2023 release. If so, it will not arrive until the end of this year.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will arrive on Netflix on December 22; Henry T. Casey, streaming editor of Tom's Guide, has seen Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, but has not seen Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" on Netflix, he wishes he had waited for "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" to come to Netflix.