Coming to America 2: Wesley Snipes joins cast of Eddie Murphy sequel

Eddie Murphy will return to the role of Prince Akeem

Wesley Snipes is set to join Eddie Murphy for the Coming to America sequel.

The original 1988 film saw Murphy play a wealthy African prince who came to America in search of love, fearful that those in his home country of Zamunda were attracted to his money.

Blade actor Snipes, whose other credits include White Men Can’t Jump and Lethal Weapon 4, will play General Izzi, a man who rules a neighbouring nation.

Snipes has previously been the subject of some controversy; in 2004, he was accused of domestic violence against Halle Berry, and he was sentenced to three years in prison for failure to file federal income tax returns in 2010.

The Coming to America sequel will be directed by Craig Brewer, best known for Hustle & Flow, and production is expected to start this autumn.

A Coming to America TV spin-off show was planned, and a pilot made, in 1989, but it was never picked up for a series.

The film will be released in 2020.