In what was likely inevitable given the ongoing pandemic,Eddie Murphy’sComing to Americasequel is skipping theaters and being sold to Amazon in a deal reportedly worth $125 million, according toVariety.
Should the deal close,Coming 2 Americawould premiere Dec. 18 on Amazon Prime Video, and it would represent an impressive 1-2 punch for the streaming giant on the heels of its high-profileBorat 2acquisition.
With the exception ofTop Gun: Maverick, which Paramount pushed to next summer, the studio has been in “sell” mode all year, sendingThe LovebirdsandThe Trial of the Chicago 7to Netflix, andMichael B. Jordan’s upcoming action thrillerWithout Remorseto Amazon.
Amazon continues to acquire acclaimed indie fare as well, having recently struck a deal forRegina King’s directorial debutOne Night in Miami.
Variety notes that theComing 2 Americadeal is complicated by the film’s marketing tie-ins with major brands such as McDonalds and Crown Royal, though those are expected to transfer over to Amazon once Murphy gives the deal his blessing.
The trade also reports that Paramount shopped the sequel to multiple other streamers, including Viacom’s own service CBS All Access.
Image via Paramount Pictures
You have to imagine that Netflix took a look as well following its proud association with Murphy on last year’s awards hopefulDolemite Is My Name.
Directed byCraig Brewer,Coming 2 Americafinds Murphy’s Prince Akeem poised to become king of the fictional African country of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son (Jermaine Fowler) living in Queens, New York.
To honor his father’s dying wish to groom his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) set off on a journey to America.
The supporting cast includesTracy Morgan,Leslie Jones,Wesley Snipes,KiKi Layne,Rick Ross,Teyana Taylorand the greatJames Earl Jones.
The original 1988 movie grossed nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office, so there was intense interest in the sequel.
For more onBorat 2, including the film’s first trailer and when you’ll be able to watch it on Amazon Prime Video,click here.
