Los Angeles (AFP)

Thirty years before "Black Panther", Eddie Murphy proved in the 1980s that films led by black main actors could succeed at the international box office, with the cult comedy "A Prince in New York".

After the billion dollars generated by Marvel and his African superhero, Eddie Murphy in turn returns with the continuation of the adventures of his spoiled rotten African prince, in "A Prince in New York 2" which will be released on the Amazon Prime platform on March 5 .

But according to the actor, the worldwide success of these two franchises, with a predominantly black distribution, has nothing to do with any growing interest in political and historical issues of race, like contemporary movements like "Black Lives Matter ".

Most American films "highlight a certain social injustice, or civil unrest (...), around the world, they don't give a damn about that," said Eddie Murphy.

For the star of comedies like "The Beverly Hills Cop" or "The Nutty Professor", the success of his films lies above all in a good old story, with universal reach.

"+ A Prince in New York 2+, has nothing to do with it - it's a movie just about family, love, doing what's right, and tradition," said he stressed.

The actor's remarks come as Hollywood presents an anthology of prestigious films on the civil rights movement, with castings led by black actors, like "Judas and the Black Messiah" or "One Night in Miami ", which are among the favorites of bookmakers at the Oscars.

However, it will be difficult to compare the popular craze for all of these films, with most cinemas around the world remaining closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"A Prince in New York 2" was indeed produced by Paramount but the rights were sold to Amazon for its platform.

- "On the fingers of one hand" -

Eddie Murphy said he was proud, during a promotional day, that the first installment of "A Prince in New York" was "the first film in the history of cinema - with an exclusively black cast - to have success across the world ".

But since then, you can count "on the fingers of one hand" the films in Hollywood that have repeated such international success - and "you will have fingers left" to rely on, the 59-year-old star said.

In "A Prince in New York," released in 1988, the actor played the title role of His Highness Akeem Joffer, in search of love in the city that never sleeps.

In the sequel, Akeem, now an older monarch, returns to New York this time in search of his lost male heir, who can save his fictional African kingdom.

At his side, Eddie Murphy can count on other black stars of cinema or humor, including Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracey Morgan, or even James Earl Jones.

"I can tell you that there was not a single black actor - middle-aged or younger - in this town or any town who did not want to be a part of this film" said the actress. Luenell, also on the bill.

One of Eddie Murphy's daughters, Bella, is also part of the cast.

To reporters interviewing her, the 19-year-old actress confessed that she was very keen to take part in the film after seeing her father play in the first installment.

"It was great to see my dad like that, because it was the first time I saw black royal characters on screen ... and it was even more awesome that it was my dad," a- she declared.

"It really gave me strength."

© 2021 AFP