EDDIE MURPHY Set To Star In COMING TO AMERICA 2
Assemble the menagerie, unearth your Zamunda currency, and practice your hand-to-hand combat techniques, because Eddie Murphy is back, y’all, and he’s set to star in COMING TO AMERICA 2, the long-gestating sequel to John Landis‘ 1988 original romantic comedy. News of the project comes courtesy of Deadline, who reports that HUSTLE & FLOW helmer Craig Brewer will direct Murphy as he reprises the role of Akeem, the pampered African prince who embarked on a journey to Queens, New York, and goes undercover to find a wife who he can respect for her intelligence and will. Murphy recently teamed with Brewer for DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, a biographical drama that tells the story of Rudy Ray Moore, who assumed the role of an iconic pimp named Dolemite during the 1970s.
Set to rewrite the script penned by original COMING TO AMERICA scribes Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield is BLACK-ISH writer Kenya Barris, will also executive produce. Meanwhile, in addition to starring in the film, Murphy will also produce with Kevin Misher.
According to Deadline’s report, COMING TO AMERICA 2 finds Akeem learning about a long lost son, a revalation that finds him returning to America to meet his unlikely heir to the throne of Zamunda. While nothing is set in stone just yet, Paramount hopes to bring back the original cast which includes Arsenio Hall, who played the prince’s aide Semmi, Shari Headley, who after some shenanigans became Akeem’s betrothed, Lisa McDowell, John Amos, who played her opprotunistic father, Cleo McDowell, and James Earl Jones, who played the hardened King of Zumunda.
In the sequel, Akeem learns about a long lost son, and must return to America to meet his unlikely heir to the throne of Zamunda. The intention is to bring back the original cast which includes Arsenio Hall, who played the prince’s aide Semmi, Shari Headley, who was courted by the prince when he went undercover as a fast food worker, John Amos, who played her father, and James Earl Jones, who played the king.
There is no start date, but the hope is that production begins in 2019.
“After many years of anticipation, I’m thrilled that Coming to America 2 is officially moving forward,” Murphy said in a statement. “We’ve assembled a great team that will be led by Craig Brewer, who just did an amazing job on Dolemite, and I’m looking forward to bringing all these classic and beloved characters back to the big screen.”
Said Kenya Barris: “Craig’s ability to create a distinct cinematic world with each of his films is not only impressive, but also what made him exactly the voice and vision we needed to bring this story to life. From Hustle and Flow to his work with Eddie onDolemite Is My Name, he never fails to blow me away. He is a true auteur and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board.”
My Name Is Dolemite is wrapped, with script by Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski, and Murphy playing the self-made blaxploitation film star alongside Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Rock, Craig Robinson and T.I. The picture will be released by Netflix.
