Eddie Murphy Returns as Prince Akeem in ‘Coming 2 America’

Make way for King Akeem! Amazon Studios unveiled the first trailer for “Coming 2 America,” which showcases the return of Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem!

In the upcoming sequel, Prince Akeem, who is set to become the king of the fictional country of Zamunda, finds out he has a son he never knew about living in America. To honor the former king’s dying wish to raise his grandson as the next crown prince, Akeem and his younger brother, Semmi, once again leave for America.

Originally set for release in theaters from Paramount Pictures, the film’s distribution rights were sold to Amazon Studios in October due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Arsenio Hall recently spoke to Complex about the key ingredient that makes the sequel work:

What I love most is we didn’t lose the main agenda, the humor. It’s a funny f***ing movie, and I’m proud that we hit all those bumps and checked all those boxes. It’s funny—it does everything you need it to do, but it’s also funny, and I think people will love the additions to it. There are some surprises here that will surprise people who don’t get surprised.”

Coming to America

“Coming to America,” was a classic hit film released in 1988. It introduced Murphy as a young royal who moves to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is the prince of a wealthy African country and wants for nothing, except a wife who will love him in spite of his title. Akeem flees to America accompanied by his persnickety sidekick, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), to find his queen. Disguised as a foreign student working in fast food, he romances Lisa (Shari Headley) but struggles with revealing his true identity to her and his marital intentions to his king father (James Earl Jones).

This was one of the standout movies of that time and has continued to be a celebrated cult classic for the past 30-years. The film’s fans have coveted a sequel for almost the entirety of that time and it is finally here. James Earl Jones and Arsenio Hall will also reprise their roles as King Jaffe Joffer and Semmi, respectively.

Are you excited about the return of Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem? Will you be purchasing “Coming 2 America“? Comment below!