Martin Scorsese has admitted he turned down the chance to direct Beverly Hills Cop back in the 1980s.

The 77-year-old legendary filmmaker was given the chance to make the hit film in 1984, which starred Eddie Murphy as Detroit Police Detective Axel Foley, but he decided not to helm the hit action-comedy with Martin Brest eventually taking on directing duties.

Scorsese also revealed how he was also offered the script to 1985 murder thriller Witness, which starred Harrison Ford.

Speaking to Deadline, Scorsese said: ''I was getting many scripts, Witness, Beverly Hills Cop, there were a lot.

"But I didn't want to make those. Then you choose your course. It's a harder course.''

The acclaimed filmmaker admits he spent much of that decade examining his position within the film industry, before he got ''back on track'' with The Last Temptation of Christ and Goodfellas.

''Ultimately I got back on track in 1987, '88 finishing up The Last Temptation, which then led to New York Stories and ultimately Goodfellas, which sort of got me back on track.

''But all through the '80s I was in a diaspora trying to find a way back, into what would be considered the industry. But more importantly trying to find my way as a filmmaker because I'd exhausted certain things. I was going in another way.''

Scorsese admits that he was ''grateful'' to make The Irishman, which stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino.

When asked if it was emotional working on the Netflix movie, he said: ''Well, for the most part, it was an arduous film to make, for many different reasons. But I think in an odd way, it was like practically everyone was comfortable and grateful for the time we had to visit with each other. Grateful for that time.

''Sometimes it was really difficult; people were tired and that sort of thing but there was nothing but respect and consideration for each other. And warmth in terms of company. I got to tell you, it was quite an experience and it was all very hard.''

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