Leslie Jones, Wesley Snipes, James Earl Jones join 'Coming to America' sequel

A number of big names have reportedly joined Eddie Murphy's long-awaited "Coming to America" sequel.

Deadline reported that James Earl Jones will reprise his role as King Jaffe Joffer in the sequel, titled "Coming 2 America." Jones recently reprised his role as Mufasa in Disney's CGI remake of "The Lion King."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leslie Jones is in negotiations for the project and "If Beale Street Could Talk" star Kiki Layne is set to join the project, as well as Wesley Snipes.

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Rapper Rick Ross is also reported to have a role, but the specific part is unclear, according to Deadline. The rapper revealed in an Aug. 2 interview with Nick Cannon that the sequel is filming at his Atlanta mansion.

In the 1988 original, Murphy's character, Prince Akeem, leaves the fictional African country of Zamunda to go to Queens, New York, to find a wife. The new story has Akeem returning to America as he finds out he had a son he never knew about in Queens.

Layne will play Akeem's daughter. Snipes joins the film as a new character, Gen. Izzi, who rules a nation next to Zamunda, according to THR. Leslie Jones' role has not been revealed.

Arsenio Hall and Paul Bates will also reprise their roles in the sequel, playing Semmi, Akeem's friend, and Oha, Akeem's servant, respectively.

"Coming 2 America" is set for an Aug. 7, 2020, release.

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