There Should Be a Sequel: Coming to America

Every week, EW will imagine a sequel to a movie that we wish would happen — no matter how unlikely the idea really is.

Throughout his life, Coming to America‘s Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) has had it all. The finest clothes, cuisine, and women were at his fingertips — but Akeem wanted something more.

At a pivotal moment in his young adult life, on the evening of his 21st birthday, Prince Akeem reaches a turning point. Tired of having it the easy way and wanting to make his own decisions in his romantic life, Akeem confronts his father, King Jaffe (James Earl Jones), tricking him into thinking he wants to go to the United States to sow his royal oats, when really, he wants to find love on his own terms. Traveling with servant Semmi (Arsenio Hall) to America in search of a woman who would love and appreciate him for more than hus status, the pair reached the land of opportunity and hit the heart of the slums circa 1988 in Queens. They rent an apartment in Jamaica and pick up the day-to-day duties of regular Americans with full-time jobs at McDowell’s (not McDonald’s), all while Akeem searches for his soul mate.

That soul mate turns out to be Lisa (Shari Headley), the daughter of his boss Cleo McDowell, and the movie ends with the couple getting married and assuming the throne of Zamunda.

Fast-forward 25 years later, and what should the plot be of a sequel for this classic movie?

Considering there’s so many cliffhangers in this classic, there’s a number of scenarios that could easily carry through, starting with Akeem and Lisa’s happily ever after. Although they’ve lived comfortably in the royal palace of Zamunda, raising two beautiful children, they come back to the States after Lisa gets homesick. The couple revisit every special landmark in their humble beginnings — paying a visit to Clarence at his old barbershop and the Golden Arcs of McDowell’s. Sure, Lisa’s father Cleo might have retired from his beloved business, but good ol’ Maurice (Louie Anderson) moved on up from fry cook to store manager.

Lisa’s Soul Glo-lovin’ ex Darryl has switched from his drip-drip jheri curl to a relaxed ‘do, as the family business moved into perm relaxers and hair weaves. His brief affair with Lisa’s sister Patrice develops into a dysfunctional marriage and a kid. While Akeem and Lisa are back in the States for a visit, Patrice grows very fond of the Prince, still jealous of Lisa always landing the “good ones.” In an intimate moment, Patrice and Akeem embrace after a family gathering — leading to an affair and a climactic scene that questions the foundations of Prince Akeem and Lisa’s marriage.

What about Semmi? Well, he ends up involved with someone really close to the monarchy: Akeem’s mom. King Jaffe Joffer doesn’t suspect a thing.

So, Popwatchers, do you think this would be a good sequel? Would you watch Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall playing those old barbers again? Let your Soul Glo in the comments below! Oh, and here’s a great tune just to refresh your memory:

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