Let Your Soul Glow, Again. Eddie Murphy Is Writing Coming To America Sequel
Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy launched several film franchises. First it was 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. Later, it was The Nutty Professor, Dr. Doolittle, and Shrek. It appears now that Eddie will reprise one of his most beloved, critically acclaimed, and downright funny roles (as “Prince Akeem Joffer”) of all-time. According to TMZ, a sequel to 1988’s Coming To America is confirmed to be in the writing stages, based on sources close to Murphy. He penned the original (with David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein).
Moreover, a since-deleted March 15 post from Eddie’s social accounts alluded to the possibility of a sequel as well. He featured a photo of actress Vanessa Bell Calloway, who played Akeem’s first bride in the ’88 film:
Louie Anderson Details How An Act Of Kindness Landed His Role In Coming To America (Video)
At the top of the year, stand-up comedian peer and Coming To America actor Louie Anderson told Sway In The Morning about that possibility of a “Coming Back To America” of sorts. “Kevin Hart, I heard, was gonna do a remake of [Coming To America]. I said, I got to get the part again, still working there. ‘Cause that’d be really funny if ‘Maurice’ was still working [at McDowell’s].” Louie alluded that John Landis (who directed Eddie extensively in the 1980s, including Trading Places, was possibly involved. “That’s where I met John Landis; he just asked about me recently, great director.” Anderson added that he realized some may not be thrilled. “I know there’s people who wouldn’t like it if he remade it, ’cause it’s almost a sacrilegious thing.”
Nothing in the latest report mentions Hart or Landis (who has not directed a film in nearly a decade). Murphy last starred in 2016’s Mr. Church.
Action Bronson & Chance The Rapper Let Their Soul Glow In Spoofing Coming To America (Video)
Other actors from the original include Shari Headley, Arsenio Hall, John Amos, James Earl Jones, Eriq La Salle, Anderson, Frankie Faison, and brief cameos by Samuel L. Jackson and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It is unclear at this time which, if any, characters would be included in Murphy’s sequel script.