Eddie Murphy's hilarious reunion with Coming To America co-star Arsenio Hall... and why there will never be a sequel

The stars of popular 1988 comedy Coming To America were welcomed with raucous applause when they finally reunited on Tuesday night.

But while Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall explained that this was would be as close as they would get to making a sequel to everybody's favourite fish-out-of-water movie, their reasons were rather hilarious.

During an appearance on The Arsenio Hall show, the 52-year-old actor and his former co-star explained through giggles that the obstacles that stood in the way of a sequel were in fact legal ones.

Just like old times: Eddie Murphy reunited with his Coming To America co-star on The Arsenio Hall show on Tuesday, where the pair discussed why a sequel to the popular 80s comedy would not be happening

Fish out of water: Eddie and Arsenio played Akeem and Semmi, who came to America from an African country in search of a bride for Akem to bring back home

Eddie, who is most frequently seen nowadays in jeans and T-shirt on one of his daily coffee runs with Australian model girlfriend Paige Butcher, turned on the suave and slipped into a dapper suit for his appearance on his old buddy's talk show.

Arsenio, ever the stylish fellow anyway, was as smart as could be in a grey suit and sensible tie as he sat in the hot seat to interview his former co-star.

The pair seemed blissfully nostalgic when the subject of Coming To America was raised, barely managing to spit out the details through hysterical laughter upon recalling memories from the aftermath of the popular 80s flick.

 

Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall discuss Coming to America sequel

Too much fun: The 52-year-old funnyman became extremely animated alongside his former co-star

The movie tells the hilarious tale of an African prince named Akeem (played by Eddie) who travels to the dreamy United States of America - New York's Queens neighborhood, specifically - with his best friend Semmi (played by Arsenio), in search of a bride who can stimulate his 'intellect' as well as his 'loins'.
Fans of the cult classic - which turned 25 this year - would have been eager for the pair to announce that a sequel was on its way, but alas this was far from the case.

It seems that a follow up to the comedy was doomed almost as soon as the original was released on account of a few awkward legal battles that the cast and crew faced.

'We still kind of look the same!' Eddie quipped that he and Arsenio had not even aged since the movie

'When Coming to America came out, it was a bunch of lawsuits,' Eddie told the studio audience, clearly seeing the situation in good humour 25 years on.

'There was some dude who was claiming he was the prince. I'd be out in the club and this African dude would roll up and say, 'I am the real prince! You stole my life from me! And I want my money! I'll kill you!'' he explained, which seemed to tickle the audience greatly.

'His pursuit was to come to America for the girl from Thriller,' Arsenio added about the 'real' African prince, referencing the stunning woman from Michael Jackson's infamous music video.

He's still got it: Eddie had the talk show host in hysterics as he conveyed details of the 'lawsuits' they faced

The pair of funnymen could barely contain their own laughter as they reminisced on the quirky mishaps following the film's release, but amongst it all they made sure to find a moment to praise their own everlasting good looks.

Upon seeing snaps of themselves from all the way back in 1988, both men appeared rather chuffed with their graceful aging abilities.

'We still kind of look the same too,' Eddie quipped.

And Arsenio could not help but agree: 'A little bit,' he said.

'You stole my life from me!' The star explained that an actual African prince was unhappy about the movie

'It was a bunch of lawsuits': Eddie revealed that it wasn't easy following the release of the film

Eddie continued on, clearly more than comfortable flying his own flag: 'Most people, you cut to 25 years later, they'd be like, 'ooh Lord!' Sometimes they have to tell you who they are!'

So while the audience was clearly thrilled to see two of their favourite comedians back in the same room, they appeared to confirm that this was as close as they would get to a Coming To America sequel.

While Arsenio continues kicking goals with his popular talk show, Eddie has been enjoying the loved-up life with his spunky Australian model girlfriend, Paige Butcher.

The couple's favourite daily activity - which they rarely miss out on - is to put on blatant public displays of affection at their local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, snacking on each other while they wait for their delicious beverages.

25 years later: Both Eddie (L) and Arsenio have moved on to other projects, all of which have found them on various red carpets everywhere

Nowadays: Eddie spends his days with his Australian girlfriend Paige Butcher, and the pair keep the local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in business with daily runs... wearing the same shirt he wore on The Arsenio Hall Show