Eddie Murphy is a beloved actor who, since 2001 or so, mostly existed in a strange limbo. He’s still considered one of the best of the best of the best, but whenever he agrees to do some sort of comedy somehow he always sort of– works his way out of it. For example, he dropped out of hosting the Academy Awards in 2011 when his friend Brett Ratner was kicked out as director for his homophobic remarks (see, Kevin Hart, it’s not personal, we all just hate homophobes). Likewise, when he appeared on Saturday Night Live’s 40th anniversary, he said a few words, did no comedy and disappointed and confused many of his fans. Where is the Eddie Murphy of such classics like Beverly Hills Cop or Coming to America? Well, if you want the Eddie Murphy of the John Landis directed Coming to America, then you’re in luck, because just now Eddie Murphy signed on to “Coming to America 2”, to be directed by Craig Brewer and written by Black-Ish creator Kenya Barris.
Barris will be rewriting a script drafted by the original “Coming to America” writers, Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield. Murphy is se to reprise his role as Prince Akeem, and will be joined by much of the cast of the original classic, including Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones and more. Deadline describes the plot like so:
“In the sequel, Akeem learns about a long lost son, and must return to America to meet his unlikely heir to the throne of Zamunda. The intention is to bring back the original cast which includes Arsenio Hall, who played the prince’s aide Semmi, Shari Headley, who was courted by the prince when he went undercover as a fast food worker, John Amos, who played her father, and James Earl Jones, who played the king.”
Gasp! A baby Eddie Murphy!? Oh which cool as heck teen will be able to play Baby Eddie Murphy!? I don’t know! But what an exciting time for us all.
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