Every now and then, the internet plays a trick on us. Recently, a flashy poster went viral claiming a Sanford and Son movie was set for 2025 starring Eddie Murphy as Fred Sanford and Donald Glover as Lamont. It spread like wildfire.

But as Primetimer quickly reported, it was a fake, cooked up by the satire site YODA BBY ABY – a page that flat-out admits all its stories are 100% satire.

But here’s the thing: everyone wanted it to be true. Including me!

That tells you everything you need to know – audiences are ready for a Sanford and Son comeback. And if Hollywood ever pulls the trigger, I’ve got the dream team: Eddie Murphy as Fred Sanford, Will Smith as Lamont, and Leslie Jones as Aunt Esther.

Eddie Murphy as Fred Sanford: The Comedy Titan

Fred Sanford was one of the sharpest, funniest characters in sitcom history. He wasn’t just loud, he was sly, sarcastic, and could win an argument with a single insult. Redd Foxx turned him into a household name.

Eddie Murphy could honor that legacy and still make it his own.

Chameleon Skills: Eddie’s proven in Coming to America and The Nutty Professor that he can embody outrageous characters with authenticity.

Stand-up Roots: Like Redd Foxx, Eddie thrives on timing and delivery. His stand-up shows (Delirious, Raw) show he knows how to make an audience laugh and think.

Respect for the Classics: Eddie has always acknowledged Redd Foxx as an inspiration. Taking on Fred Sanford wouldn’t be parody—it would be a tribute.

Close your eyes and imagine Eddie clutching his chest, yelling, “Elizabeth, I’m comin’!” and then dropping a sly grin at the camera. It works.

Will Smith as Lamont: The Redemption Role

If Fred was the hurricane, Lamont was the anchor, rolling his eyes, sighing, and reminding us that despite all the noise, this was a family.

Will Smith is perfect for Lamont.

Foil Expertise: On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will thrived playing off James Avery’s Uncle Phil. He knows how to be the spark and the balance.

Likeability Factor: Lamont needs to be someone the audience roots for, even when he’s exasperated. Will has that in spades.

Career Redemption: Let’s be honest, Will’s been fighting an uphill battle since the Oscars slap. A role like Lamont could flip the narrative.

Instead of being “the guy who lost control,” he’d be the calm, relatable son keeping his larger-than-life dad in check. It’s the kind of part that could reset his career and remind the world why we loved him to begin with.

Picture Will sighing, “Pop, you cannot say stuff like that in 2025,” while Eddie smirks and doubles down. That’s the exact energy Lamont needs.

Leslie Jones as Aunt Esther: The Scene-Stealer

No Sanford and Son reboot works without Aunt Esther, the bulldog with a Bible who could match Fred punch for punch.

Leslie Jones is the modern-day Aunt Esther.

Energy & Volume: From SNL to Ghostbusters, Leslie commands attention the second she walks in a room.

Verbal Combat: Aunt Esther was always at her best sparring with Fred. Leslie’s fast-talking, sharp-witted style would make those exchanges legendary.

Authenticity: Audiences love Leslie because she’s unapologetically herself. That honesty would elevate Esther from a caricature to a powerhouse.

Fred vs. Esther, Murphy vs. Jones. Honestly? I’d watch that even without a plot.

Could It Work in 2025?

The real question: Could Sanford and Son land in today’s climate?

In the ‘70s, the show leaned on insult comedy, racial jokes, and cultural jabs that would light Twitter on fire today. But with the right cast and sharp writing, it could work, not as a carbon copy, but as a modern update.

Eddie would push the edges with wit instead of shock value. Will would be the moral compass, reminding viewers of empathy. Leslie would turn every argument into a must-see showdown.

Done right, it wouldn’t just be a reboot. It would be a cultural event.

A Mock Episode Scenario: “The Junkyard Goes Digital”

Just imagine this:

The Sanford junkyard is in trouble. The city’s threatening to shut it down for not being “up to code.” Lamont (Will Smith) insists they need to modernize, get on social media, do online sales, maybe even set up a junkyard TikTok.

Fred (Eddie Murphy) isn’t having it.

Fred: “TikTok? Boy, the only ticking I hear is the clock on your wasted youth!”

Meanwhile, Aunt Esther (Leslie Jones) barges in with her church group, demanding Fred donate some “junk” for a fundraiser. Fred fires back with a string of insults, to which Esther delivers her knockout punch:

Esther: “Keep talkin’, you old heathen. The Lord’s gonna strike you down faster than you can say ‘Elizabeth!’”

The episode ends with Fred accidentally going viral after one of his tirades gets posted online—making him a reluctant internet star. Lamont shakes his head, Esther praises the Lord, and Fred clutches his chest screaming:

Fred: “This is it! I’m comin’, Elizabeth… right after I check my followers!”

That’s classic Sanford and Son, updated for 2025.

That viral fake poster may have been a hoax—but the excitement it generated was real. A reboot starring Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, and Leslie Jones could honor the soul of Sanford and Son while giving it fresh life. It could give Eddie another iconic role, Leslie the comedic spotlight she deserves, and maybe even restore Will Smith’s career to the heights it once had.

The only question now: is Hollywood brave enough to make it happen?