Arsenio Hall Says Paramount Originally Turned Down “Coming to America”

**Behind the Scenes of ‘Coming to America’: A Comedy Classic That Almost Wasn’t**

The 1988 film ‘Coming to America’ is celebrated as one of the finest comedies of its time, largely due to the stellar performances by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Murphy starred as Prince Akeem Joffer, hailing from the fictitious African nation of Zamunda, while Hall played his loyal companion, Semmi. However, recent revelations by Hall have illuminated the rocky road to realising this beloved film, suggesting it was far from a guaranteed success from the beginning.

In a candid conversation during a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Hall shared that Paramount Pictures initially rejected their pitch for ‘Coming to America’. The actor, now 70, recounted how the studio turned them down, stating, “They turned Coming to America down. We went and pitched it at Paramount, and they said, ‘No, thank you.’”

Hall noted that the studio’s dismissive stance left him and Murphy grappling for feedback. They asked the executives for suggestions to improve their pitch, only to be met with ambiguity. “They were like, ‘We’re not sure, but you know, it’s a fish out of water. We’ve seen this a billion times,’” Hall recalled.

The initial concept of the film drastically differed from the comedy that ultimately hit theatres. Hall disclosed that early drafts did not feature several now-iconic characters that would later become integral to the film. “It didn’t have the barbershop. It didn’t have the preacher. It didn’t have Eddie as the old Jewish man,” he remarked, highlighting the evolution the idea underwent during its development.

Fortuitously, a Paramount executive eventually provided the duo with some constructive criticism that proved pivotal for the film’s future. He encouraged them to lean into the comedic talents of Murphy, suggesting that the audience would relish seeing him perform multiple roles as he had done on ‘Saturday Night Live’. “He said, ‘Everybody wants to see Eddie do characters again. Everybody misses SNL. How about if the people you meet in America are played by Eddie?’” Hall explained.

Taking this direction, Murphy drew inspiration from Hall’s comedy, particularly a stand-up bit about Jesse Jackson. Hall recounted how Murphy believed his friend could convincingly portray a preacher, leading to the creation of various characters that would ultimately enrich the film’s storyline. Hall expressed his excitement and nervousness for the collaborative venture, likening the opportunity to playing alongside a basketball legend.

Fast forward to 2021, and the legacy of ‘Coming to America’ continued with the release of its sequel, ‘Coming 2 America’, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video. This revival came three decades after the original’s success, and both Murphy and Hall reprised their iconic roles. However, Hall admitted that the pair felt an immense pressure from fans to deliver a worthy follow-up.

In conversation with Extra, Hall reflected on the expectations that came with returning to such a cherished narrative. He recalled the numerous encounters with fans who expressed their hopes and fears for the sequel, declaring, “Fans rolled up on you in the mall or on Twitter… ‘Don’t you f**k up our movie! Don’t mess it up!’ You have to go into it with all that in your head.”

The evolution of ‘Coming to America’ is a testament to the power of creative collaboration and persistence. The transformation from a rejected pitch to a comedy classic reflects not only the talent of its leading actors but also the foresight and wisdom of those who guided its development.

As both Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall celebrate the film’s enduring legacy, it is evident that their journey in creating ‘Coming to America’ was not merely a pursuit of comedy but also a significant cultural milestone that continues to resonate with audiences today.