The sequel to Eddie Murphy's 1988 smash-hit comedy Coming to America takes steps to avoid the most apparent criticism that may come its way, much like a blind date who starts off the evening by making a self-deprecating joke. Coming 2 America, which will premiere on Amazon Prime on Friday, March 5 after being sold for a rumoured $125 million by Paramount, is exactly what you thought it would be. It's a weak-sauce remake of the 1988 original, written and acted at a level approximating a morality tale for young children, not simply defanged for a PG-13 (the original was R-rated).
Like many Walt Disney straight-to-video animated sequels, it replicates many of the previous film's humour and character beats while loosely recounting the same plot via the children of its original heroes. Coming 2 America, on the other hand, is more like to Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea than The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride in this regard.
What is It all About?
Prince Akeem of Zamunda is brought before his ailing father, King Jaffe Joffer, on the 30th anniversary of his marriage to Lisa McDowell. After his aide Semmi had enticed two women into spending the night with them while Akeem was still searching for his future queen, Jaffe and his shaman Baba reveal to a perplexed Akeem that he had sired a son during his first visit to Queens, New York, Jaffe and his shaman Baba reveal to a perplexed Akeem that he had sired a son during his first visit in Queens.
One of them mistakenly sedated Akeem, leading to an unremembered tryst. Because only a male heir may inherit the kingdom under Zamundian custom, and Akeem has only daughters, he is obliged to return to Queens to rescue his son. If not, Zamunda may face a hostile takeover by Nexdoria, whose ruler, General Izzi (the brother of Imani, Akeem's initial planned bride-to-be), has been pressuring Akeem's eldest daughter Meeka to marry his foppish son, Idi.
Following King Jaffe's burial and succession to the throne, Akeem and Semmi return to Queens in search of his illegitimate son. Head barber Mr. Clarence informs them that the kid in issue is Lavelle Junson, a ticket scalper who hustles outside of Madison Square Garden, during a jovial reunion with the barbershop crew with whom they connected.
Following an unpleasant reunion with Lavelle's mother Mary, Akeem returns them to Zamunda, much to the chagrin of his family. When General Izzi learns of this, he arrives to bring his daughter Bopoto to Lavelle as a last-ditch attempt to take the throne of Zamunda. However, Lavelle must first complete a series of traditional – and dangerous – tests in order to qualify as a royal prince.
What Do You Know about the making of Coming 2 America?
On January 11, 2019, it was revealed that the sequel will be made, with Murphy returning his role and Craig Brewer directing the film (having previously worked with Murphy on the Netflix film Dolemite Is My Name). The sequel was supposed to bring back Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, John Amos, Paul Bates, and James Earl Jones. Wesley Snipes agreed to play General Izzi, the son of Colonel Izzi and the elder brother of Imani from the previous film. In unspecified roles, Leslie Jones and rapper Rick Ross have also joined the cast.
Samuel L. Jackson, who featured briefly in the first film, revealed in October 2019 that he will not be repeating his part in the sequel owing to schedule difficulties. If Jackson had been available for the appearance, Murphy says his character would have been seen robbing the McDowells restaurant once again. Morgan Freeman and Bella Murphy were cast in unnamed roles in December 2019. Due to schedule issues, Eriq La Salle said in October 2019 that he will not reprise his role as Darryl Jenks from the first film.
