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'Coming to America 2' gets a director; Eddie Murphy set to reprise role

Posted at 4:18 PM, Jan 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-14 17:18:04-05

(KGTV) — Fans of the 1988 comedy "Coming to America" will see actor Eddie Murphy once again take the mantel as Prince Akeem.

Paramount Pictures announced Friday that director Craig Brewer would direct "Coming to America 2," with Murphy set to reprise his role as Akeem, the pampered prince of Zamunda.

Brewer recently worked with Murphy in "Dolemite is my Name," a Netflix biopic on the comedian and film producer Rudy Ray Moore.<

"After many years of anticipation, I’m thrilled that Coming to America 2 is officially moving forward," Murphy said in a statement, according to entertainment news website, Deadline . "We’ve assembled a great team that will be led by Craig Brewer, who just did an amazing job on Dolemite, and I’m looking forward to bringing all these classic and beloved characters back to the big screen."

The sequel will reportedly see Akeem, who spent the first movie searching New York for a bride after he grew tired of potential partners in awe of his royal status, learning of a long lost son in America. Akeem must then return to the U.S. to meet the heir to the throne of Zamunda.

According to Deadline, original cast members Arsenio Hall, who played Akeem's aide Semmi; Shari Headley, who played Akeem's eventual bride; John Amos, who played Headley's father; and James Earl Jones, who played Akeem's father.

No release date for the film has been announced, but production is expected to begin in 2019.