Originally posted Thursday, May 8, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
The sequel to "Coming to America," which is about to start shooting in metro Atlanta later this month, has finalized casting James Earl Jones, who will reprise his role from the 1988 comedic smash film as King Jaffe Joffer.
Of course, Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are back in the starring roles of Prince Akeem and his trusty assistant Semmi.
Dubbed "Coming 2 America," the film will also feature roles for Wesley Snipes and Rick Ross, Deadline reports. Leslie Jones is rumored to be joining the cast as well.
Snipes will play General Izzi, a man who rules a neighboring nation.
Paul Bates, who played Prince Akeem's manservant in the original film, will be back,as will John Amos - the fast food chain owner - and Shari Headley, Akeem's love interest in the first film.
The premise for the sequel three decades-plus later: Akeem is set to become King of Zamunda but discovers he has a son he never knew about in America – a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his father’s dying wish to groom this son as the crowned prince, Akeem and Semmi set off to America to meet the unlikely heir.
Craig Brewer, director of "Hustle & Flow," is leading the project.
The film is set to be released before Christmas of 2020.
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