SingerTeyana Taylorand comedianMichael Blacksonhave joined the cast of Paramount’s sequel toComing to America, which will also see Emmy winnerLouie Andersonreprise his role as Maurice, Collider has exclusively learned.
Eddie Murphywill return as Prince Akeem, who is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers a son he never knew about in America – a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his father’s dying wish to groom this long-lost son as the crowned prince, Akeem sets off for America with his right-hand man Semmi.
Arsenio Hallis set to reprise his role as Semmi, whileJames Earl JonesandPaul Bateswill also return as King Jaffe Joffer and Akeem’s faithful servant Oha, respectively. Joining them will beWesley Snipes,Leslie Jones,KiKi Layne,Rick RossandJermaine Fowler, who will play Lavelle. Layne will play Akeem’s daughter, who according tothe Hollywood Reporter, is burdened with feeling like she’s the son her father never had.
Jones will play Lavelle’s mother, according to sources, who add that Murphy may be playing more than one character inComing 2 America, including an African general who wants to kill Prince Akeem and marry his daughter off to Lavelle in order to gain power in neighboring Zamunda. Take that with a grain of salt for now, but Murphy has obviously done it before. Meanwhile, Taylor and Blackson’s roles have yet to be confirmed.
In the original 1988 movie, Anderson played Maurice, an employee at McDowell’s, the fictional McDonald’s-like restaurant where Prince Akeem worked. It’s unclear whether poor Maurice is still working at McDowell’s 32 years later, or if he’ll cross paths with Akeem elsewhere.
Craig Brewer is directing the sequel, which will be titledComing 2 America. Murphy is producing withKevin MisherandKenya Barris, and production is slated to start later this month, as Paramount will release the movie on Aug 03, 2025.
Blackson’s previous film credits includeNext Friday,Meet the Blacks,andNobody’s Fool,and he’ll soon be seen inLast Friday,16 Bars the Movie, andThe House Next Door. He’s repped by ICM Partners.
Taylor is an actress, model, and acclaimed dancer who has appeared in numerous music videos, as well as TV shows likeHit the Floor,The Breaks,andStarwithQueen Latifah. Coming 2 Americais a big step for Taylor, who is also repped by ICM.
Anderson, who won an Emmy for his work on the FX comedyBaskets, is represented by ICM, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Chariot Management.
