GETTING SERIOUS

Eddie Murphy’s got the Broadway hit “Fences” in his Paramount future--the studio acquired it for his dramatic debut--but has he got James Earl Jones to reprise his Tony-winning portrayal of a tough, embittered working-class father?

Jones has not even been contacted, according to Murphy’s manager, Bob Wachs. Nor has Mary Alice, who copped a Tony as best featured actress, nor nominees for best featured actor Courtney B. Vance and Frankie R. Faison, who portrayed Jones’ sons (Murphy would take one of their secondary roles).

But playwright August Wilson Jr. will attempt the adaptation of his powerful black family drama, which won a Tony for best play. Said Wachs: “ Fences’ is (still) on Broadway and having a fantastic run and we hope it will continue for a long time. When Wilson is ready--we hope it’s next summer--then he will start writing it.

“Eddie Murphy thinks that ‘Fences’ is so good, it’s irrelevant when we make it.”