Coming to America (film series)
Coming to America is an American romantic comedy franchise that consists of two films, as well as a couple of foreign remakes and a singular television pilot.
| Coming to America | |
|---|---|
| Created by | David Sheffield Barry W. Blaustein Eddie Murphy |
| Original work | Coming to America (1988) |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | List of films |
| Television series | List of TV pilots |
The American films star Eddie Murphy, who plays Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. The films also co-star Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, and John Amos.
Films
| Film | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coming to America (1988) | John Landis | David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein (screenplay); Eddie Murphy (story) |
George Folsey, Jr. Robert D. Wachs |
| Coming 2 America (2020) | Craig Brewer | David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, and Kenya Barris (screenplay); Eddie Murphy (story) |
Kevin Misher |
Overview
1988 film
Coming to America reunited star Eddie Murphy with director John Landis. The two had previously worked together on the comedy hit Trading Places (1983). Landis recalled the differences in working with Murphy on the two movies: "The guy on Trading Places was young and full of energy and curious and funny and fresh and great. The guy on Coming to America was the pig of the world... But I still think he's wonderful in the movie."[1] Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy reprise their roles as Mortimer and Randolph Duke respectively from Trading Places.[2]
2020 sequel
In January 2017, an announcement was publicized which addressed the impending production of a sequel to the original film, Coming to America. Kevin Misher was named as producer, and David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, the original screenwriters, were also attached to the project. However, a possible participation of lead actors Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall was left undefined.[3]
On January 11, 2019, it was announced that the sequel will be moving forward with Murphy reprising his role, and Craig Brewer as director (having previously worked with Murphy on the Netflix film Dolemite Is My Name).[4] Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, John Amos, Paul Bates and James Earl Jones are expected to return for the sequel as well.[5]
Wesley Snipes signed on for a role in the film. Leslie Jones and rapper Rick Ross also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.[6][7][8] In August 2019, Nomzamo Mbatha, Garcelle Beauvais,[9] Jermaine Fowler,[10] Tracy Morgan, KiKi Layne, Luenell, Rotimi, Teyana Taylor and Michael Blackson were added to the cast, alongside returning actors Louie Anderson and Vanessa Bell Calloway.[11][12]
The film is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2020 in the United States.[13]
Foreign Remakes
A Tamil film, My Dear Marthandan, was produced based on the plot of Coming to America.[14] A Hong Kong film, The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon, also has the same plot.[15]
Television pilot
A television pilot of a weekly sitcom version of the film was produced for CBS, following the film's success, starring Tommy Davidson as Prince Tariq, and Paul Bates reprising his role as Oha. The pilot went unsold, but was televised on July 4, 1989 as part of the CBS Summer Playhouse pilot anthology series.[16][17]
References
- "The Collider Interview: John Landis, Part II". Collider. February 9, 2005. Archived from the original on October 17, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Carlson, Daniel (May 5, 2009). "Is it Just Me, or Does Every Woman in New York Have a Severe Emotional Problem". Pajiba.com. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- Falcone, Dana Rose (April 14, 2017). "A 'Coming to America' Sequel Is in the Works With the Original Writers". Us Weekly. American Media, Inc. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Fleming Jr., Mike (January 11, 2019). "Craig Brewer To Direct Eddie Murphy In 'Coming To America 2' For Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 7, 2019). "James Earl Jones & Paul Bates Returning For 'Coming To America' Sequel, Rick Ross Also Joining". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Burwick, Kevin (January 11, 2019). "Coming to America 2 Is Officially Happening with Eddie Murphy". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Jones, Monique (January 11, 2019). "'Coming to America 2' Is Officially In The Works As Sequel Gets A Director And Plot". Shadow and Act. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 11, 2019). "'Coming To America 2' Adds Tracy Morgan". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Anderton, Ethan (August 23, 2019). "Sequel Bits: 'Bill & Ted Face the Music', 'Ghostbusters 2020', 'LEGO Jurassic World' & More". /Film. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 18, 2019). "Jermaine Fowler To Star In 'Coming 2 America'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 22, 2019). "'Coming 2 America' Adds Nomzamo Mbatha and Garcelle Beauvais". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Howard, Joseph (August 21, 2019). "Coming to America 2 Release Date, Cast, Story and Everything to Know". Den of Geek. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Kit, Borys (August 22, 2019). "Nomzamo Mbatha and Garcelle Beauvais Join Eddie Murphy in 'Coming 2 America' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Valence Media. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- Krishnaswamy, N. (August 31, 1990). "My Dear Marthandan". The Indian Express. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- "Far East Films - Reviews - The Fun, The Luck And The Tycoon".
- "'Outtakes' - 'Coming To America' The TV Series". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. December 8, 1988. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- Fitzpatrick, Molly (April 11, 2015). "Reminder: A terrible 'Coming to America' TV pilot happened in 1989". Splinter News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.