Wesley Snipes joins the cast of 'Coming to America 2'
[update 8/7: 5x Grammy-nominated performer Rick Ross has joined the cast in an undisclosed role, with Paul Bates returning as Oha, Prince Akeem’s manservant and bodyguard]
Wesley Snipes has joined the cast of Coming to America 2!
Sources say Snipes will play an African general amid a backstory where Prince Akeem (Murphy) discovers he has a son he never knew about living in Queens, New York - the same city where Akeem met his bride-to-be Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley).
According to the latest synopsis, Akeem and Semmi set off to America to honor King Jaffe Joffer’s (James Earl Jones) dying wish to groom his GRANDSON as Zamunda's Crown Prince. Which begs the obvious question, is this child Lisa and Akeem’s? If so, perhaps this suggests the once happy couple went their separate ways shortly after they tied the knot.
Surprisingly, Paramount’s sequel marks the first collaboration between Snipes and co-star Eddie Murphy. Snipes joins America’s returning co-stars Arsenio Hall (Semmi), Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell Joffer), John Amos (Cleo McDowell), and James Earl Jones (King of Zamunda). No word if Eriq La Salle will reprise the man, the myth, the legend, Darryl ‘Soul Glo’ Jenks.
It should be interesting to see who they cast as Akeem’s "street-savvy" son Lavelle. If we’re following America's fictional timelines, we’re likely talking an actor who's no older than 30 but likely no younger than 18 years old. Got any guesses?
Craig Brewer (Empire and Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan) will direct from a script written by Kenya Barris. Paramount's untitled ‘Coming to America’ sequel is slated to hit theaters August 7, 2020.
