Eddie Murphy a no show at Meet Dave premiere

"He's not here because he's doing a movie and shooting – he goes back-to-back-to-back," producer David T. Friendly told PEOPLE on the premiere's red carpet. "Eddie, he'll never admit it, but he loves to work. And I think work keeps him happy."

Murphy, 47, is shooting the film A Thousand Words, Access Hollywood reports.

Meet Dave costar Gabrielle Union says the father of seven is "at peace."

"He's a really cool guy," says Union. "His kids were always on set. He's just really cool and at peace with himself."