Coming to America is taking steps toward coming to theaters.
Paramount Pictures has enlisted Jonathan Levine (Snatched, 50/50) to direct a sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy, while also bringing in Black-ish creator Kenya Barris to rewrite the script, EW has confirmed.
Earlier this year, the studio hired original screenwriters Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield to pen a follow-up to Coming to America, which starred Murphy as a pampered African prince who travels to New York City undercover to find an independent-minded wife.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news, Murphy is involved in the development of the sequel and expected to star, though no deal is in place. Murphy’s publicist did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Levine’s other directing credits include The Night Before, Warm Bodies, and The Wackness, and Barris recently co-wrote the hit comedy Girls Trip.
