The long-rumored ‘Coming to America’ sequel is officially moving forward!
Paramount Pictures has announced that the Jonathan Levine on board to direct the film with a script by “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris.
via Variety:
Levine, whose credits include “Snatched,” “The Night Before,” “50/50,” and “Warm Bodies,” will direct from a script that Barris will rewrite from a screenplay by original writers Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield. Kevin Misher is producing.
Murphy is involved with the development of the sequel, although there’s no deal in place yet for him to star. Kevin Misher is the producer.
The original movie was directed by John Landis, with Murphy playing a charming African prince who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, and John Amos co-starred in the “Coming to America,” which was a major hit, grossing nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office.
Humorist Art Buchwald sued the studio on grounds that the film’s idea was stolen from his 1982 script treatment and won the breach of contract part of the suit. The parties later settled the case prior to an appeal going to trial.
Barris co-wrote the comedy “Girls Trip” with Tracy Oliver and worked on New Line’s “Son of Shaft.”
Levine is repped by CAA. Barris is repped by CAA, Principato-Young Entertainment, and Morris Yorn.
We can’t wait!
