Coming 2 America is headed to Amazon Studios.
The highly-anticipated sequel to the Eddie Murphy movie is getting purchased sold by distributor Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios for approximately $125 million. The streaming platform plans to release the movie on December 18, according to Variety.
Details are still getting worked out, including a marketing plan with McDonald’s and whisky brand Crown Royal, which are expected to move to Amazon Studios along with the movie. Murphy, who produced the movie, reportedly gave his blessing on the Amazon Studios deal.
Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke reportedly made the acquisition a priority. Salke is searching for more commercial content following Borat’s recent purchase and Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, which stars Michael B. Jordan. Amazon Studios recently acquired Regina King’s One Night in Miami.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, movie theaters have shut down, causing distributors’ concerns about getting a return on investment in their films. The project is one of several Paramount projects sold in 2020 to streaming platforms. Others including Aaron Sorkin’s Trial of the Chicago 7, Lovebirds, and Without Remorse.
Coming 2 America filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, with dozens of casting calls for background extras and speaking roles. John Landis directed the first movie in 1988, and Murphy is the prince Akeem, who travels to NYC to escape an arranged marriage. The movie grossed nearly $300 million at the box office.
Coming 2 America will center around Prince Akeem, who will soon become king of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America, a street-savvy New Yorker named Lavelle. To honor the former king’s dying wish to groom his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem, and Semmi head back to America. The film stars Jermaine Fowler, and supporting actors includes Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Arsenio Hall, and Wesley Snipes.
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