Just when Eddie Murphy stated earlier this year that he may be ready to hang it up, especially after the dismal performance of his last film, 'Meet Dave', word from the trades is that Universal Pictures Imagine Entertainment is thinking of making a third 'Nutty Professor' film.

The Hollywood Reporter is stating that an open call is out to writers for their take on a potential third entry.

Although it has been eight years since the last "Nutty" came out, executives are interested in a new version that would follow 'The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps.'

Like 'The Nutty Professor,' 'Klumps' focused on Sherman Klump, a portly, gentle scientist (Eddie Murphy) who turns obnoxious after trying one of his own cures. In the second film, which expanded to include more of Klump's family members (many also played by Murphy), it was eternal youth that Klump sought.

The sequel to 1996's 'The Nutty Professor,' 'Klumps' had a less corpulent boxoffice gross than its predecessor, earning $162 million worldwide vs. the $270 million of the first installment.

At this point, Murphy is not attached to a new 'Nutty'; his involvement would be contingent on the writer, director and other elements. Murphy's comic versatility was seen as key to the success of the two 'Nutty' movies, and it seems unlikely that a third installment could go forward without him.