Coming To America | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Eddie Murphy is opening up about one of his iconic movies.

On Monday (March 1), the 59-year-old actor and his collaborator Arsenio Hall promoted their upcoming movie Coming 2 America on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

During the interview, the two said they were “forced” by Paramount Pictures to cast a white actor in the original Coming to America, which was released back in 1988.

In the movie, Emmy-winner Louie Anderson was cast as Maurice.

“I love Louie, but I think we were forced to put Louie in it,” Arsenio told Jimmy. “We were forced to put in a white person.”

Eddie then chimed in, recalling Paramount execs allegedly insisting Coming to America not feature an all-Black cast.

“They were like, ‘There has to be a white person in the movie,’” Eddie recalled. “I was like, ‘What?’ So who was the funniest white guy around? We knew Louie was cool, so that’s how Louie got in the movie.”

Arsenio added, “It was official. I had a list. They gave me a list with three white guys. They said, ‘Who would you rather work with?’ I said ‘Louie.’”

Eddie, Arsenio, and Louie will all be reprising their roles for the Coming 2 America, which will be released on Amazon Prime Video on March 5. Check out the trailer here!

Eddie Murphy is opening up about how Ryan Coogler pitched him an idea for another Coming 2 America sequel.

In an interview with The New York Times, the iconic actor revealed that Ryan’s idea for the movie was for “Michael B. Jordan to play my son and he would be looking for a wife.”

However, Ryan‘s idea was shot down: “I was like, then the movie would be about the son, it’s not our characters, we already did that. It didn’t come together.”

The first movie centered on Prince Akeem (played by Eddie) who searches for a wife who will love him in spite of his title.

Eddie did chat more about the movie’s legacy, and how “all this time passed and the movie became this cult thing.”

“Catchphrases from the movie start working their way into the culture. Stores turning themselves into McDowell’s [where Prince Akeem worked.] I see Beyoncé and Jay-Z dressed up like the Zamunda characters for Halloween.”

In the sequel with Eddie and Arsenio Hall returning, as they return to America – Queens in particular – to track down Akeem’s long lost son (Jermaine Fowler) so they can groom him to be the new crown prince.

Coming 2 America is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 5. See the new trailer here!

Coming 2 America is coming!

The highly anticipated sequel to the beloved 1988 comedy Coming to America is arriving on Amazon Prime Video on March 5, and a new trailer arrived on Wednesday (February 3).

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Eddie Murphy

The movie stars Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall reprising their roles as Prince Akeem and Semmi. The two actors will also reprise their roles of the My-T-Sharp Barber Shop’s Clarence, Saul and Morris as well as Reverend Brown and Randy Watson, lead singer of the band Sexual Chocolate.

Here’s a plot summary: “In the sequel, directed by Craig Brewer, newly-crowned King Akeem and Semmi embark on a new adventure that has them traversing the globe from Zamunda, back to Queens.”

Original cast members returning including James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, John Amos and Louie Anderson, while new additions to the cast include Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne, Nomzamo Mbatha and Teyana Taylor.

“Coming to America was a cultural phenomenon that is one of the most loved and celebrated comedies of all time. Thanks to Eddie Murphy’s comedic genius along with the brilliant filmmakers, writers and fabulous cast, we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this new adventure. We know audiences around the world will fall in love with this hilarious, joyful movie that will surely become a timeless favorite,” said Amazon’s Jennifer Salke.

Eddie Murphy recently celebrated after winning this award for the first time!

The sequel to Coming to America is now coming to Amazon.

The highly anticipated Eddie Murphy sequel to the 1988 comedy classic will skip movie theaters entirely amid the pandemic, Deadline reported.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Eddie Murphy

The movie is now being sold by Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios in a deal worth approximately $125 million. The expected streaming premiere date for the film is scheduled for later this year on December 18, according to Variety.

Here’s a plot summary, via People: “In the sequel, viewers will find Akeem as he is set to become king of his African nation, when he discovers that he has a child he never knew about in America – a son named Lavelle. So, honoring his father’s dying wish to groom this son as prince, Akeem and his right hand confidant Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall, set off to America once again.”

Another highly anticipated project is also bypassing theaters – find out which movie!

Eddie Murphy is in a rush!

The 58-year-old actor was spotted in character as Prince Hakeem while filming for the Coming to America sequel Coming 2 America on Tuesday (November 5) in Atlanta, Georgia.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Eddie Murphy

Eddie is currently filming the follow-up to the 1988 hit movie, which tells the story of Prince Hakeem after his fairytale wedding to Shari Headley’s Lisa McDowell, where the two presumably went back to Zamunda and lived happily ever after. The sequel picks up thirty years later, as Prince Akeem goes in search of his long lost son, LaVelle.

One actor is sadly not returning from the original film. Find out who!

READ MORE: Eddie Murphy Says President Obama Urged Him to Return to Stand-Up – Watch!

Don’t expect to see Eriq La Salle in the upcoming Coming to America sequel.

The 57-year-old actor confirmed he will not return to reprise his role as Darryl Jenks in the upcoming follow-up in an interview with The Grio.

“No…I’ve already given you an answer. No. Straight to the point. I knew where you were going with it. I’m a little busy right now … with this show,” he said of Chicago P.D., which he executive produces and directs.

Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley and Vanessa Bell Calloway have all reportedly signed on for the sequel.

READ MORE: Arsenio Hall & Eddie Murphy Film ‘Coming to America 2′ – See Photos From the Set!

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