UB Film Spotlight: ‘Coming 2 America’ Available Friday

Eddie Murphy reprises his role as the ever-charming Prince Akeem and leads an all-star cast in Coming 2 America, the much-anticipated sequel, to the 1988 megahit Coming to America. The hilarious sequel finally makes it’s debut on Amazon Prime this Friday March 5th.

Three decades and three beautiful daughters later, Akeem prepares to take over the reigns of his homeland of Zamunda. As antiquated gender roles are being challenged within his home, he is also faced with a new dilemma on the outside. While tradition has always required a male heir to take the throne, Akeem feels torn between following custom and creating change. While considering his eldest daughter, Meeka, who is the strongest choice, his rival, General Izzi, is plotting a union of dynasties with his son, Idi, as Meeka’s groom. Meanwhile, an ailing King Joffer delivers the shocking news that Akeem has a long-lost son, Lavelle, in Queens.

After an unexpected turn of events, Akeem, now the King of Zamunda, along with his trusted confidante, Semmi, return to New York to tend to this unfinished royal family business. Upon finding Lavelle, Akeem convinces him to travel to Zamunda in order to learn the customs of royal life in preparation for becoming the heir to the throne. While Akeem smooths tensions with his wife and three daughters, General Izzi decides that his daughter, Bopoto, will become Lavelle’s wife. All the while, Lavelle is falling in love with his royal barber, Mirembe, who has dreams of owning her own barbershop.

Arsenio Hall returns as Semmi, alongside James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, Shari Headley as Lisa, John Amos as Cleo McDowell, Louie Anderson as Maurice and the legendary barbershop crew who sparked the laughs in 1988 for Coming 2 America.

Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, KiKi Layne, Wesley Snipes, Teyana Taylor, Nomzamo Mbatha, Bella Murphy, Akiley Love and Rotimi are all aboard for this new hilarious adventure, which features appearances by Vanessa Bell Calloway, Paul Bates, Garcelle Beauvais, Clint Smith, Luenell, Michael Blackson and many more.

The much-anticipated sequel follows the ever-unfolding story of the Joffers, the royal family of the land of Zamunda. While the passage of time has resulted in a few changes in the country, some traditions, especially inside the palace, are stuck in the past. As King Jaffe Joffer nears the end of his life, the spotlight turns to Prince Akeem and the inevitable transfer of power. There’s also the burning question of who will become his heir.

Akeem and Lisa have settled into a cozy life, but like most families, there are the occasional disagreements to settle. Akeem and Lisa’s evolution as husband-and-wife, parents and soon-to-be elders is both relatable and universal.

Along with the returning characters fans know well, Coming 2 America features a plethora of new faces from. “It’s a mix of younger and older, famous and breaking actors, all of whom I believe the audience is going to be thrilled about and laugh like they’ve never laughed before.”

For movie fans who have mostly come to know Wesley Snipes for bringing the drama and action to the big screen, it might be surprising to see him in Coming 2 America. As General Izzi, the fearless leader of Nexdoria, Wesley definitely shines alongside an ensemble cast of comedians.

As the changing of the guards unfolds for the Joffer family, their seemingly never-ending rivalry with neighboring nation, Nexdoria, continues to flare, complete with heavy doses of humor, suspense and even, dance. With his devoted army in tow, General Izzi stirs the pot at each and every opportunity.

Tensions between the two countries were sparked over 30 years ago, back when Akeem left General Izzi’s sister, Imani, at the altar and jetted off to America to find his true love. Since that time, there has been mayhem, with the General becoming laser-focused on uniting the dynasties through marriage somehow, someway or else.

Coming 2 America was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, on the Tyler Perry Studio sound stages beginning in August 2019.

Check out The UB Extended Preview of “Coming 2 America.”