Eriq La Salle is not returning to ‘Coming to America’ sequel

“No” means no!

Eriq La Salle emphatically told a reporter he will not be returning as his popular character in the sequel to “Coming to America,” which is currently wrapping up production.

Even though a majority of original cast members — including James Earl Jones, Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley and Vanessa Bell Calloway — have reportedly signed on to the Eddie Murphy-headlined follow-up, it’s a non-starter for the former “ER” heartthrob.

“No,” he told The Grio when asked if he would be reprising his role from the 1988 original. “I’ve already given you an answer. No.”

“Straight to the point. I knew where you were going with it. I’m a little busy right now … with this show,” he said of “Chicago P.D.,” which he executive produces and directs.

La Salle, who played the Jheri curl-dripping Soul Glow heir Darryl Jenks in the original John Landis-directed blockbuster, became a household name in the 1990s as Dr. Peter Benton on NBC’s “ER” for almost 10 years.

Trained in theater, and an alum of the prestigious Julliard School, the three-time Emmy Award-nominated actor is now doing more business behind the camera of the Dick Wolf-created procedural dramas such as “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.”

The 57-year-old Hartford, Conn., native also directed episodes of BET’s “The Quad,” ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” and Fox’s “Lucifer.”

“Coming to America” starred Murphy as Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. In an effort to find a wife, Akeem, along with his trusty assistant Semmi, played by Hall, decide to travel to Queens, N.Y., where they got a rude awakening about Western culture.

The 1988 film, panned by some critics, became a blockbuster and grossed more than $288 million worldwide — becoming a cult classic.

RELATED GALLERY:

Hollywood cast reunions:

In the sequel, Akeem, who is set to become king, learns about a long-lost son and must return to America to meet his unlikely heir to the throne of Zamunda.

Directed by “Hustle & Flow” auteur Craig Brewer,“Coming 2 America” is set to hit theaters Aug. 7, 2020.

Image Source:*KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Source:nydailynews.com