Coming to America, is coming back! The long-awaited sequel to the famous 1988 movie is premiering on Amazon Prime Video on March 5th. The Knockturnal got a chance to speak exclusively with the stars of the new sequel, arriving 33 years after its predecessor Coming to America.
Film
Check out the recap of the virtual press conference featuring the cast of Coming 2 America, the long-awaited sequel to the classic film Coming to America!
Exclusive: ‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ Stars Steven Silver & Spencer Neville talk Police Brutality, LGBTQ+, Addiction [video]
The Obituary of Tunde Johnson stars Steven Silver as โTunde Johnsonโ, a teen Nigerian-American whose parents are wealthy and supportive of him coming out as gay while the story follows a love entanglement between his best friend โMarleyโ played by Nicola Peltz (Transformers: Age of Extinction) and popular football star, โSoren.โ Soren has his own internal struggles as he’s hesitant to come out to his dad, who also happens to be the head coach of the high school football team. One night when Tunde drives to see his love interest โSorenโ (Spencer Neville from Ozark) he is pulled over by police and shot to death in a racially motivated killing. The horrific incident mirrors what we see too often with police brutality in America. However, for Tunde, he must relive the same day over and over again being murdered time and time again.ย
The coming-of-age, thriller drama deals with relevant issues such as racism, LGBTQA+ acceptance as well as mental health and addiction. The film was written by Nigerian native, Stanley Kalu and directed by Ali LeRoi and premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.ย
The film has many accolades including the Austin Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles, Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Fesival, NewFest New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Fesival and Outshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival.ย
Steven Silver and Spencer Neville sat down with The Knockturnal to talk about their experiences playing these intensely complex roles. Spencer Neville opened about how his experience of growing up in the south with friends who had been through similar situations as โSorenโ helped him understand the perspective of someone struggling to own their sexual orientation.ย
โI know a lot of people who have been through this exact situation. Someone in my close family has been in this exact situation so I feel like I understood it immediately,โ said Neville.
Nevilleโs characterย juggles an internal conflict of wanting to be with Tunde but also feels the pressure to maintain his relationship with โMarleyโ as he protects his image for fear of rejection from his father. Tunde also deals with internal struggles as we discover his addiction to prescription painkillers. The heavy themes within the film will have the audience unraveling revelations about their own biases and may even leave the crowd with a new perspective on what it means to be human.ย
Wolfe Releasing is set to release the film Thursday, February 26th.ย
Exclusive: Cast of ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ Talk Film’s Timelines and Cultural Impact [Video]
Looking for something enlightening and enticing to watch this Black History month? Look no further than Lee Danielsโ latest biopic: The United States vs Billie Holiday – a film that uncovers Lady Dayโs heroism as she fought prosecution from the FBI while using her voice as her weapon.
Film Composer Enis Rotthoff has shown his passion for music in the Romantic Drama film Love Sarah.
Exclusive: Benny Boom Talks Producing New Film ‘Tazmanian Devil,’ Directing Music Videos And More [Video]
Director and producer Benny Boom teamed up with Cash Money CEO, Birdman to help bring to life the new film, Tazmanian Devil.
Exclusive: Jahi Di’Allo Winston and Lukas Haas discuss ‘The Violent Heart’ [Video]
Friday, February 19 drama film The Violent Heart premieres on Demand and in theaters.
Exclusive: Kerem Sanga, Grace Van Patten & Jovan Adepo Talk ‘The Violent Heart’ [Video]
Interested in seeing a melodrama with a surprising twist? Then “The Violent Heart” is your movie to watch.
Exclusive: Darrell Britt-Gibson Talks ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ & Career [Video]
Starting his career as an extra on a hit TV show, Darrell Britt-Gibson has emerged onto the Hollywood scene.
Exclusive: ‘Never and Again’ Stars and Director Discuss Black Love [Video]
BET+ released the romantic comedy Never and Again on February 11.