The hotly anticipated ‘Coming To America’ sequel is still set for release this year. However, its primary vehicle has reportedly changed in a major surprise move.

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According to Variety, the Eddie Murphy fronted ‘Coming 2 America’ is reportedly being sold by Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios.

As such, instead of arriving in theaters, the big budget production will premiere on the media giant’s streaming service.

Per the report, the sale is believed to have come with a $125 Million price tag and forms part of Amazon’s push for a more commercial footprint in the ever-competitive streaming landscape.

With the global health crisis serving as a wrecking ball of sorts to the theater sphere, Paramount are taking steps to weather uncertain times. Hence, the sale of titles such as ‘Lovebirds’ and ‘Trial of the Chicago 7.’

There’s no denying that ‘Coming 2 America’ is the biggest transaction yet and one that could gift Amazon a major lift in the forthcoming holiday season. Given that the film, which originally was set for a cinema release on Christmas Day, is believed to arrive on the streamer on December 19.

Anchored by the returning duo Murphy and Arsenio Hall, expectations are tall for the sequel. In this chapter, Prince Akeem is set to become king of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America — a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. To honor the former king’s dying wish to groom his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi head back to America.

Joining the cast for the 2020 revival are the likes of Tracy Morgan, Jay Pharaoh, Jermaine Fowler, and Wesley Snipes.

Released in 1988, the original ‘Coming To America’ proved to be a cultural phenomenon and has grossed a colossal $300 Million to date.

Time will tell if the sequel follows suit.

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