Black Cinema Connection

a/k/a Coming to America 2

Release Date:  3/5/2021; Amazon Prime
Genre:   Comedy
Rating:  PG-13
Director:  Craig Brewer
Studio(s):   Eddie Murphy Productions, Misher Films, New Republic Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Running Time:  TBD

Cast:  
Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem Joffer, the prince of Zamunda. Murphy also plays Randy Watson, a soul singer with the fictional band Sexual Chocolate, as well as Mr. Clarence, the local barber, and Saul, the Jewish barbershop customer;
Arsenio Hall as Semmi, Akeem’s best friend and aide. Hall also plays Reverend Brown, a reverend of the church, as well as Mr. Clarence’s right-hand barber, Morris;
Jermaine Fowler as Lavelle, Akeem’s son;
Leslie Jones as Lavelle’s mother;
Tracy Morgan as Reem, Lavelle’s uncle;
KiKi Layne as Meeka Joffer, Akeem’s and Lisa’s first daughter;
Shari Headley as Lisa McDowell, Akeem’s wife whom he fell in love with during his first trip to America;
John Amos as Cleo McDowell, Akeem’s former employer and father-in-law;
Wesley Snipes as General Izzi, Imani’s older brother;
James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, Akeem’s ailing father and the King of Zamunda. Jaffe is also a widower since his wife died.
Teyana Taylor as General Izzi’s henchwoman;
Vanessa Bell Calloway as Imani Izzi, General Izzi’s younger sister;
Paul Bates as Oha, a royal servant;
Nomzamo Mbatha;
Louie Anderson as Maurice, a mid-level employee at McDowell’s restaurant;
Rick Ross as Himself;
Davido as Himself;
Garcelle Beauvais as Rose;
Bella Murphy;
Morgan Freeman.

Story:   Former Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America – a street savvy Queens native named Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler). Honoring his royal father’s (James Earl Jones) dying wish to groom this son as the crown prince, since Akeem and Lisa’s daughter is ineligible to take over the throne since Zamundan law says that it has to be a male heir to take the throne. Akeem and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) set off to America once again.  Source:  Wikipedia; IMDB.

Trailer:

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Updated 9/9/19:    Entertainment Weekly reported that a whole heap of actors are coming to Coming to America. The sequel to the 1988 comedy — known as Coming 2 America, naturally — has added Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Kiki Layne, and rapper Rick Ross to the cast. Additionally, original cast members James Earl Jones and Paul Bates are returning, joining Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, who will reprise their (primary) roles from the original film.

Snipes will play a new character named General Izzi, who rules a neighboring country to Zamunda, homeland of Murphy’s Prince Akeem. Layne will play Akeem’s daughter, and Leslie Jones’ role is being kept under wraps. James Earl Jones, of course, will reprise his role as Akeem’s father, King Jaffe Joffer, with Bates as royal servant Oha.

The beloved original film follows Akeem as he travels from his African kingdom to Queens, New York, hoping to find himself a queen there. In the sequel, Akeem is about to become king when he discovers he has a long-lost son in Queens. Honoring his father’s dying wish to groom this son as the crowned prince, Akeem sets off to find him.

Update 8/10/19:  According to Complex.com, John Amos has reportedly signed on for the Coming to America sequel, a gig that will reunite him with original cast members Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Paul Bates, and James Earl Jones.  The 79-year-old actor is set to reprise his role as Cleo McDowell, the owner of the McDowell’s fast-food joint where Prince Akeem (Murphy) was employed. His character was also the father of Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), Akeem’s love interest in the film.

The original 1988 film followed the character of Prince Akeem as he traveled to Queens to escape an arranged marriage and find true love. The second installment will find Akeem as he prepares to become king of the fictional Zamunda; however, his plans are derailed after he learns about his long-lost son back in the U.S.  Coming 2 America will be directed by Craig Brewer and written by Kenya Barris. In addition to the aforementioned cast members, the film will reportedly star Wesley Snipes, Teyana Taylor, Michael Blackson, Leslie Jones, KiKi Layne, and Jermaine Fowler.  Source:  Complex.com.