Prince Akeem is coming to Peachtree. The long-awaited sequel to “Coming to America” will film in Atlanta, according to news reports.
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall have signed on for leading roles so far. Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow) is attached to the project as director.
Jermaine Fowler (“Sorry To Bother You”) has been cast as a lead, fueling speculation that he will be Akeem’s son.
‘Coming to America 2’ plans to film in Atlanta
“Coming to America 2” or “Coming 2 America,” as the movie is being called, has been slated for a release date in August 2020.
The plot of the movie is said to center on Akeem coming back to America after learning that he has a long-lost son. That son would be the heir to the throne in Zamunda, the African kingdom.
When Akeem finds his son, he is barely making it in Queens. Early reports are that comedian Dave Chappelle is in talks to join the project as well.
Success of original ‘Coming to America’
The original film was released in the United States on June 29, 1988. It debuted at #1, taking in $28.4 million at the box office in its opening weekend.
“Coming to America” would go on to earn $228 million worldwide.
With Murphy playing a variety of roles, the film garnered two Oscar nominations, one for makeup and the other for costume design.
Here are all the barbershop scenes in ‘Coming to America’
Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.
