Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming to America 2’ sold to Amazon Studios for $125M: Report
The original 1988 classic grossed nearly $300 million in the worldwide box office
Eddie Murphy’s sequel to the 1988 classic “Coming to America” is headed to Amazon Studios in a deal that will set up the anticipated release for a streaming premiere amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Variety, “Coming to America 2” was sold by its distributor Paramount Pictures to the streaming giant in a deal reportedly worth about $125 million.
In its new home, the comedy is slated for a Dec. 18 streaming premiere date, and in-film marketing placements with McDonald's and whiskey brand Crown Royal are expected to carry over with the project as well, the publication said on Tuesday.
Paramount originally penciled in a Christmas Day release of “Coming to America 2,” but uncertainty as to when movie theaters can or will return back a semblance of normality has caused the studio and distributor to sell off various titles, including Aaron Sorkin’s “Trial of the Chicago 7” and the action-comedy “Lovebirds” to Netflix, while its title “Without Remorse” was sold off to Amazon.
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The 1988 John Landis-directed film saw Eddie Murphy, pictured here, as the charismatic African prince Akeem. (AP, File)
The 1988 John Landis-directed film saw Murphy as the charismatic African Prince Akeem who settles in the New York City borough of Queens while he attempts to find his bride in order to escape an arranged marriage in the fictional country of Zamunda.
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The film, which grossed nearly $300 million in the worldwide box office, also starred Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley and John Amos.
The sequel features Murphy and Hall reprising their roles, while newcomers include Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Wesley Snipes and Jermaine Fowler.
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Eddie Murphy’s sequel to the 1988 classic 'Coming to America' is headed to Amazon Studios after being sold by Paramount Pictures. (Paramount Pictures)
In it, Prince Akeem is in line to become king and ruler of Zamunda, when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America.
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Murphy's rep, Paramount and Amazon Studios did not immediately respond to Fox Business's requests for comment.
