'Beverly Hills Cop 4' has been removed from Paramount's release schedule.

Eddie Murphy is set to reprise his role as Detective Axel Foley in the franchise's return, which initially had a tentative release date of March 2016.

However, fans will now have to wait a little longer to see the wise-cracking cop back on the big screen after a studio insider revealed to The Wrap that Paramount has taken director Brett Ratner's sequel off its schedule.

The delay, however, avoids a clash with Warner Bros. superhero blockbuster 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' which is due to hit cinemas the same month next year.

The writers for 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' include Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec and the sequel is expected to take Foley back to his Detroit roots.

In January, the 54-year-old actor revealed that script changes were the primary reason why shooting was yet to start on the project.

He said: ''They're still trying to get that script right. I'm not doing a 'Beverly Hills Cop' unless they have a really incredible script.

''I've read a couple things that look like they can make some paper, but I'm not doing a shitty movie just to make some paper. The shit got to be right.''

Despite postponement, the film remains in development.