The first trailer for the long-anticipated sequel to 1988’s Coming to America has been rated and will be releasing soon. Currently listed as being in post-production, Coming 2 America is planned for a December 18th release.
Arriving thirty-two years after the original made its mark, Eddie Murphy’s performance as Prince Akeem of the fictional African nation of Zamunda was the first time that fans got to see the famed comedian play multiple roles. The film told the story of the naïve Akeem, who settles in Queens, New York, in a bid to find himself a bride. Along for the hilarious journey was Arsenio Hall as Akeem’s spoiled assistant and best friend, Semmi. Together the pair struggled with learning the ins and outs of life in New York City. Talk of a sequel first began back in 2017, so it’s safe to say that the wait for Coming 2 America has been an incredibly long one. Thankfully, the production managed to escape the numerous COVID-19 delays that have caused significant problems for so many other productions. However, there is still the issue of the film’s release, which could be marred by the pandemic’s effects on cinemas.
For now, at least, Coming 2 America's December release date has not been touched, and word from Trailer Hack has it that the first teaser trailer will be released very soon. According to the site, the teaser has been given a PG-rated and comes in at just under two minutes in length. Exactly what sort of timeline eager fans are looking at for the trailer’s official release date is not currently known, though Trailer Hack estimates that it will be at some point in the next few weeks.
So far, many Paramount releases initially slated for 2020 have been pushed back to 2021. There has previously been talk of Coming 2 America potentially being given a Netflix release, but nothing of that nature has been confirmed as of this writing. Murphy and Paramount will likely be looking to capitalize on the star’s recent Emmy win, so the widest release possible will be the best option. This being the case, a theatrical release isn’t exactly the solution. Previously, the cure to the box office woes created by the pandemic was expected to be Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, but that effort failed to reach the desired results. Coming 2 America has a dedicated fanbase, but that alone won’t be enough to fill theatres at present.
There’s also the issue of the film’s PG-13 rating. For those who’ve long been fans of the original, a PG-13 rating feels restraining – especially from a comedian as talented as Murphy and the impressive cast of comedians on board. This might deter some fans from seeing the film until word of mouth on its quality circulates. That sort of delay – especially at the box office, could be a severe hindrance. However, until the trailer for Coming 2 America arrives, it’s anyone’s guess just how enticing the film will be. Hopefully, the PG rating won’t matter at all, and Murphy will prove he’s making a solid return to the sort of comedy that fans knew and loved him for in the ’80s.
Source: Trailer Hack