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Wesley Snipes Set To Join Eddie Murphy In Coming To America Sequel

Wesley Snipes Set To Join Eddie Murphy In Coming To America Sequel

Snipes, 57, is believed to be playing a new character called General Izzi who rules a neighbouring nation

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Just when we thought we couldn't get any more excited about the upcoming sequel to Coming To America - Wesley Snipes has now been announced to be joining the cast.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 57-year-old actor will be joining Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America - Paramount's sequel to its popular 1988 comedy.

Craig Brewer will be directing the film which is due to be released on 7 August 2020. Both Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall will take on their roles from the original film.

It's been reported that Wesley Snipes will feature in the Coming To America sequel.
PA

It has been reported that Snipes will be playing a new character called General Izzi, the ruler of the nation that neighbours Zamunda - the fictional African nation ruled by Eddie Murphy's character, Prince Akeem.

Back in February, Murphy released a statement saying: "After many years of anticipation, I'm thrilled that Coming To America 2 is officially moving forward.

"We've assembled a great team that will be led by Craig Brewer, who just did an amazing job on Dolemite [Is My Name], and I'm looking forward to bringing all these classic and beloved characters back to the big screen."

Murphy touched on the fact that he would be working with Brewer again but this will in fact be a reunion for Murphy and Snipes as well.

The original film.
Paramount Pictures

Brewer will be working off the script written by Kenya Barris (Black-ish), who said: "Craig's ability to create a distinct cinematic world with each of his films is not only impressive but also what made him exactly the voice and vision we needed to bring this story to life."

The original 1988 film was an absolute comedy classic and grossed nearly $300 million. It was the third highest grossing film of the year, despite not being shown to the press before release.

In it, Eddie Murphy, who plays the heir to an African Kingdom, travels to New York City in a bid to find his true love after rejecting his parent's arranged marriage.

Eddie Murphy will reprise his role in the 1988 classic.
PA

Because it was such a hit, fans were gagging for a sequel to see what happened to Akeem Joffer (Murphy) and his bride Lisa (played by Shari Headley).

Vanessa Bell, who played Imani Izzi in the movie, previously spoke to TMZ saying how amazing it would be to get the crew back together.

She said: "I would love to do a sequel, I loved the movie. It's like come on Eddie let's make this happen!

"I hope it is true, it would be a perfect sequel. Everybody, with the exception of Madge Sinclair obviously, everybody's still alive and I know everybody would love to do it.

"The movie was iconic - it's the gift that keeps giving."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Eddie Murphy