We Can't Believe How Good the Original Cast of Coming to America Looks in the Sequel

Published on 12/18/2020 at 2:30 PM

With any sequel, it's hard not to compare it to the original. What's already in Coming 2 America's favor is the fact that the story comes from Kenya Barris and original Coming to America writers Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield. Plus, both original stars Eddie Murphy and Shari Headley are delighted with the sequel. "I will venture to say they'll love it more than the first. I think I'm as excited as the audience will be because this is just nonstop entertainment," Headley previously told Essence. "We've assembled a great team . . . I'm looking forward to bringing all these classic and beloved characters back to the big screen," Murphy added in a statement.

The sequel sees Prince Akeem heading back to Queens after learning that he fathered a son with a local woman, likely prior to meeting Lisa in the 1988 film. We can't wait until the movie releases on March 5, 2021, on Amazon Prime Video, and seeing the attention to detail of the returning cast side by side with their 1988 selves has us thrilled beyond belief!

Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem Joffer

Eddie Murphy is back as Prince Akeem, who previously went to Queens and fell in love. In the sequel, he's gearing up to take over the role of King of Zamunda from his ailing father when he discovers he has an unknown son back in America. We can only imagine how Lisa is going to react.

Arsenio Hall as Semmi

Where Prince Akeem goes, Arsenio Hall goes as Semmi, Akeem's best friend and right-hand man. He helps Akeem go to America in the first film to find a wife and will likely serve as the voice of reason when the pair return to America to find Akeem's son.

Shari Headley as Lisa McDowell

The royal life looks good on Shari Headley as Lisa McDowell. Although the sequel is primarily about Akeem finding his son, we hope to gain some insight on what their romance has been like since the credits rolled on Coming to America.

James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer

Are we worried there may be a Mufasa situation with James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer in the sequel? Kind of. As part of his dying wish, King Jaffe wants Akeem to head to America to find Akeem's recently discovered son and prepare him to be crown prince. It seems Akeem is taking on the role of finding a prince in Queens that King Jaffe had in the first film.

Paul Bates as Oha the Royal Servant

The royal servant with the voice of an angel, we're excited Paul Bates is back as Oha. If he doesn't sing a version of the first film's "Queen to Be," we will be disappointed, yet understanding.

Garcelle Beauvais as Rose Bearer

Garcelle Beauvais was only 19 when she portrayed a royal rose bearer in the first Coming to America film. Looks like her character earned a promotion between films.

Eddie Murphy as Clarence the Barbershop Owner

Eddie Murphy didn't just play one character in Coming to America, he played four: Prince Akeem, Sexual Chocolate lead singer Randy Watson, Saul the barbershop customer, and Clarence. By the looks of it, Clarence has seen some sh*t since 1988 but is ready to cut Prince Akeem's hair all over again.

Arsenio Hall as Morris the Barber

Much like Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall portrayed four characters in 1988's Coming to America: Semmi, Reverend Brown, a girl Akeem meets at a bar, and Morris the barber. Thirty-three years later, and Morris is still laughing it up in a chair with a plate of food.