Pete Davidson says working on The Pickup with Eddie Murphy was both surreal and instructive, calling the comedy icon “infinitely more talented” and crediting him with on-set generosity and off-camera guidance. In recent interviews tied to the film’s rollout, Davidson described the experience as a career milestone he still “can’t believe,” while emphasizing how Murphy’s professionalism and pace shaped the ensemble’s rhythm.
The Pickup, an Amazon MGM action-comedy directed by Tim Story, premiered on Prime Video on August 6 and pairs Murphy and Davidson as armored-car workers whose routine run explodes into a heist misadventure led by a crew bossed by Keke Palmer. Studio materials and trailer notes framed the film as a brisk, 94-minute caper built around personality clashes, physical gags and chase sequences, with Eva Longoria among the supporting players.
Davidson has used the press tour to highlight what he learned from Murphy beyond set pieces. He has spoken about tightening his inner circle after observing Murphy’s long-standing team, and about practical advice from elder comedy peers on staying focused and avoiding distractions. He has also linked their rapport to shared origins in sketch television, saying their conversations often blended shop talk with personal perspective.
Castmates have echoed that dynamic. Promotional appearances featured Murphy, Palmer and Davidson swapping stories about improvisation, timing and how to keep banter sharp within a tightly staged action scene, while red-carpet coverage captured an easy rapport at the Los Angeles premiere in late July. The campaign’s through-line has presented Murphy as both star and mentor, with Davidson positioning himself as a beneficiary of that example as he navigates new phases of work and life.
