Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Coming to America”

The Beef between Eddie Murphy and Director John Landis

Though Landis and Murphy seemed to have a good working and personal relationship when they worked on Trading Places together, things went a bit sour when they collaborated on Coming to America. Landis claims it was Eddie’s attitude and Murphy has said that the tension rose because of an inappropriate comment. Check out both versions of the story and see which one you believe.

In 2005, Landis told Collider.com:

“The guy on Trading Places was young and full of energy and curious and funny and fresh and great.  The guy on Coming to America was the pig of the world – the most unpleasant, arrogant, bullish entourage… just an a55hole.  However, Eddie is brilliant, and he and I have always worked together well; there’s never been an issue created.  On Coming to America, we clashed quite a bit because he was such a pig; he was so rude to people.  I was like, “Jesus Christ, Eddie!  Who are you?”  But I told him, “You can’t be late.  If you’re late again, I quit.”  We had a good working relationship, but our personal relationship changed because he just felt that he was a superstar and that everyone had to kiss his A$$.  He was a jerk.  But great – in fact, one of the greatest performances he’s ever given.”

Hmm, and Eddie says…