Looks like one of our most beloved films is getting some fresh female energy for its reboot; according to the Hollywood Reporter, If Beale Street Could Talk’s KiKi Layne and Saturday Night Live’s Leslie Jones will be joining the cast of Coming 2 America!
OK, so maybe we’re jumping the gun, as Jones is reportedly still negotiating her role, but Layne will be taking on the plum role of Prince Akeem’s daughter Meeka, who Shadow & Act reports is “burdened with feeling like she is the son her father never had.” (Do better, Akeem—and yes, we noticed that “Meeka” is “Akeem” in reverse, you narcissist.)
But hold up, because plot twist: sounds like Akeem may have a son after all; Jermaine Fowler is on board to play the prince’s Queens-born son Lavelle, the reason Akeem is Coming 2 America, once again. Of course, this development only leads us to wonder: Which of the bevy of hilarious nightclubbers Akeem and Semmi (to be reprised by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, respectively) encounter in the 1988 film might be this boy’s mother?!? (Please let it be Joan of Arc in a former life...)
The reboot will also reunite us with James Earl Jones, fresh off his reprisal of The Lion King’s Mufasa and Wesley Snipes will also reportedly appear in an as-yet-undisclosed role. If they can get Samuel L. Jackson to make another cameo at McDowell’s, our nostalgia will be fully satisfied.
The film, which begins shooting next month, will be helmed by Craig Brewer, who is also partnered with Murphy on Netflix’s upcoming Dolemite Is My Name. We’ll likely be seeing a lot of Murphy on the streaming network, as he’s rumored to be finalizing a high eight-figure deal to return to standup [h/t NY Post]. Murphy will also produce Coming 2 America with Kevin Misher and Kenya Barris; the film is set to premiere on Dec. 18, 2020.