As a fan who grew up watching James Earl Jones grace our screens with his regal presence and booming voice, I can say that his passing has left a profound void in the world of entertainment. His work in movies like “Coming to America” and “Star Wars” have been etched into my memory, and I still find myself randomly quoting lines from those films.
Recently, the world bid farewell to renowned actor James Earl Jones, at the age of 93. Since then, tributes for Jones have poured in from his fellow actors and fans alike, who admired him during his remarkable career. Most recently, Arsenio Hall, a co-star of Jones on the ‘Coming to America’ films, paid tribute to him and shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes secret about the second movie within the franchise that he takes pride in.
68-year-old comedian Arsenio Hall shared memories of his late castmate, the iconic ‘Great White Hope’ star, by penning an article for NewsOne. In the piece, he first acknowledged the admirable character of Mr. Jones, expressing that no one in Hollywood ever spoke negatively about him. Subsequently, Hall reminisced about working with the EGOT award recipient on the 2021 film ‘Coming 2 America’. During this project, Jones appeared in two scenes; one scene involved interactions between Jones, Hall’s Semmi and Baba characters, as well as Eddie Murphy’s Akeem. According to Hall, this particular scene was filmed in a captivating manner.
Fun fact: You might not be aware that we shot Coming 2 America in Atlanta. However, due to James’ illness, his scenes were filmed in New York instead. So, the scene where Eddie and I are conversing with him while he gives us a stern gaze from his royal bed was made possible through film technology. Interestingly, when you see me as a 90-year-old shaman named Baba, I’m actually talking to a tennis ball on set.
Over time, filmmaking methods have evolved significantly, and I’m thankful that one of these advancements allowed ailing James Earl Jones to participate in the long-awaited sequel. Reflecting now, his brief return as King Jaffe Joffer in the sequel holds even greater significance, as it turns out to be his final film appearance. Arsenio Hall shared memories from their time together during the filming of the original 1988 series entry. From Hall’s recollections, it seems that those moments on set were incredibly valuable for him.
Reflecting on the span of 30 years, it’s astonishing how much has changed. When we were filming Coming to America, I would often seek guidance from him before or during makeup, asking, “How should I tackle this scene?” As a young actor, particularly as a Black one, receiving his acting advice was an invaluable gift that I never overlooked. His insights invigorated me; his prolific talent, both daunting and motivating.
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James Earl Jones undeniably added an air of royal grandeur to whichever characters he portrayed, making him an ideal choice for the role of King Joffer, one of his most memorable performances. Despite being used mostly as a foil in the “Coming to America” films, he managed to slip in some comedic beats. Moreover, he delivered several iconic lines that are still often quoted today. On occasion, I find myself reciting one of those lines, “Let them wait,” in a deep, resonant voice when the situation demands it.
As a gamer, I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy knowing Arsenio Hall got some one-on-one time with the Meteor Man actor. Despite not being there together on set for Coming 2 America, it’s heartening to learn that he’s happy his late co-star was included in the movie. It seems clear that Hall cherishes these memories, and moments like this only serve to deepen my admiration for him and anyone else who shares behind-the-scenes tales of the BTS group.
You can watch James Earl Jones in the movie “Coming to America” by either renting or purchasing it on Amazon. Additionally, if you don’t have a Prime Video subscription, you should know that you can stream “Coming 2 America” for free on the platform.
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2024-10-08 18:07