Coming 2 America: 10 Characters We Can't Wait to See Again
After waiting for over 30 years, the sequel that Black America has been anticipating, Coming 2 America is finally here! The legendary comedian Eddie Murphy is back with some familiar faces and some brand-new ones to show the world what’s been going down in Zamunda.
The original Coming To America, which was released in 1988, is one of the most beloved films of all-time and is a mainstay in Black pop culture. We know it word for word and laugh at every punchline and catchphrase like it's the first time.
Written by Kenya Barris and directed by Craig Semore, Coming 2 America tells the story of Prince Akeem Joffer (Murphy), who's set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers that he has a long-lost son (Jermaine Fowler) who lives in Queens, NY. (He was sowing his royal oats after all!)
Seeking to honor the dying wish of his father (James Earl Jones), Prince Akeem makes his return to America, accompanied by his trusted aide Semmi (Arsenio Hall), to connect with the son he never knew. Murphy got most of the band back together including Shari Headley, John Amos, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Louie Anderson, as well as some new faces such as Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Wesley Snipes, Paul Bates, KiKi Layne, and his daughter Bella Murphy.
Bring it full circle, Murphy will reprise his unforgettable characters from the original, including Randy Watson, lead singer of the funk band Sexual Chocolate, Mr. Clarence, owner of My-T Sharp Barbershop, Saul, the Jewish man who hangs out all day in the shop. Hall comes back as Morris from the barbershop and Reverend Brown.
Here are 10 characters we can’t wait to see in the Coming 2 America sequel, which premieres on March 5th on Amazon Prime.
Maurice From McDowell’s
As a seasoned fast-food worker, Maurice (Louie Andersson) was responsible for showing Akeem and Semi the ins and outs of McDowell’s. He even shared with them his game plan. He said, “Hey, I started out mopping the floor just like you guys. But now... now I'm washing lettuce. Soon I'll be on fries; then the grill. In a year or two, I'll make assistant manager, and that's when the big bucks start rolling in.” In Coming 2 America, we’ll get to see if Maurice’s plan really worked out.
The Rose Bearers
When you’re royalty, you have to walk around on rose petals. It comes with the territory. The beautiful Rose Bearers (Garcelle Beauvais, Feather, and Stephanie Simon) didn’t say much but they were always on their job, making sure the Royal Family’s regal feet did not touch bare ground. Just like in the original, we can be sure that the Rose Bearers will be on their post.
Oha (Paul Bates)
Without question, “She’s Your Queen To Be,” has to be one of the best ballads ever sung in a movie. Oha (Paul Bates), King Jaffe Joffer’s right-hand man, royal servant, and Chief of Staff of the Kingdom of Zamunda is the first person we meet on screen in the original Coming To America. When he broke out in song as Imani Izzi was presented to Prince Akeem, it became one of the most memorable moments in the film. But will Oha have another solo spot in the sequel?
Imani Izzi
Since her birth, Imani Izzi (Vanessa Bell Calloway) was trained to serve Prince Akeem. She knew everything he liked. At his command, she could bark like a dog, make orangutan noises, and even jump on one foot. But none of that would work as Akeem was set on finding his own bride, breaking the patriarchal traditions of the kingdom of Zamunda. In the sequel, Imani is back. You better watch your back, Lisa!
Cleo McDowell
John Amos may have become famous as James Evans in Good Times but in film, he will always be remembered as Cleo McDowell, the proprietor of McDowells. Cleo built an empire by jacking everything from McDonald’s, remixing it, and making it his own at McDowell’s. We can’t wait to see how Cleo McDowell is making his money these days.
King Jaffe Joffer
King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones) is the exalted ruler of Zamunda and master of all that he surveys. Although he won’t have his beautiful bride Queen Aoleon by his side (the great actress, Madge Sinclair passed away in 1995), King Jaffe Joffer will be present to make sure that everything is running smoothly before he turns the kingdom of Zamunda over to Prince Akeem. Do you think he’s still sleeping with the royal bathers?
Princess Lisa Joffer
In Queens, she was Lisa McDowell, Daryl (Eriq Lasalle) from Slo Glo’s girl. But now she is Princess Lisa Joffer (Shari Headley), wife of Prince Akeem. As the matriarch of the Joffer family, everything was going well until she discovers Akeem has a 30-something-year-old son in Queens. How will the Princess handle all of this change in her Queendom? Princess Lisa had no idea the wild ride she’s about to endure.
Rev. Brown
In every scene he appeared in, Reverend Brown (Arsenio Hall) couldn’t wait to preach a sermon. He preached one at the Black Awareness Rally after saying he didn't come to preach and the audience thought they were in church. He preached another one at the McDowell house, which turned into an impromptu engagement party. Coming 2 America would not be complete if the Right Reverend didn’t slide through with the good word. At least once he has to say, “There’s a gawd somewhere!” We’ll have our “Amens” ready to go.
Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate
George Benson may have recorded it first and the late great Whitney Houston may have had a number one hit with it, but the best performance of “The Greatest of All” was done by Randy Watson (Eddie Murphy) and his funk band Sexual Chocolate. Accompanied by his backing band Sexual Chocolate, Randy didn’t let the lack of crowd participation stop him from singing his heart out. After a scene-stealing performance in the original, Randy, who invented the “mic drop,” is going to be even wilder in the sequel.
The M-T Sharp Barbershop Crew
From philosophical debates to items sold on the underground market, the Black barbershop is the place for everything you need. In Queens, My-T Sharp is the spot for trash-talking and getting your hair together. Clarence (Eddie Murphy), the owner of the barbershop, his partner Morris (Arsenio Hall), Sweets (Clint Smith), and Saul (Eddie Murphy), their Jewish homeboy are all returning to give us all the crazy stories and laughs that we love. How old are these guys anyway?
