| “ | It is better to be bonded by blood and marriage than to be divided by blood and war. | „ |
| ~ General Izzi to Akeem threatening him to have a choice made soon. |
General Izzi is the main antagonist of the 2021 romantic comedy film Coming 2 America, the sequel to the 1988 film Coming to America.
He is the leader of the country of Nexdoria, a neighboring country to the Kingdom of Zamunda who wants to either have Akeem put one of children into a forced marriage or ignite a war between the two nations and assassinate him.
He is portrayed by Wesley Snipes, who also played Simon Phoenix in Demolition Man, Nino Brown in New Jack City and Marlis Morlak in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Biography[]
Upon learning of his long-lost son, Lavelle, Prince Akeem faces the daunting task of integrating him and his family into the regal world of Zamunda. As they navigate cultural clashes and familial tensions, Akeem grapples with the weight of royal duty and the desire to forge genuine connections with his newfound relatives. Meanwhile, General Izzi of Nexdoria sees an opportunity to exploit Zamunda's vulnerability by arranging a marriage between his daughter and Lavelle, thereby gaining control of the throne. Akeem, unaware of Izzi's ulterior motives, focuses on preparing Lavelle for his royal responsibilities through a series of traditional tests.
However, as Lavelle becomes increasingly disillusioned with palace politics and his strained relationship with Akeem, tensions rise. Matters come to a head during Lavelle's accession party when he overhears a private conversation between Akeem and Izzi, leading him to believe he's being used as a pawn in a political game. Feeling betrayed, Lavelle, along with his love interest Mirembe, his mother Mary, and his uncle Reem, return to their humble beginnings in Queens. Akeem, confronted by his own shortcomings and the consequences of his actions, seeks counsel from his wife Lisa's family, who remind him of the importance of empathy and understanding. Realizing the gravity of his mistakes, Akeem embarks on a journey back to Queens to make amends and rebuild trust with Lavelle and his family. Through heartfelt conversations and genuine apologies, Akeem earns their forgiveness and support. Back in Zamunda, tensions escalate as General Izzi launches a military invasion to seize the throne.
However, Akeem's daughters, trained in combat, and Semmi, along with the palace staff, successfully defend Zamunda, forcing Izzi to pursue diplomatic solutions. With peace restored and his family reunited, Akeem redefines royal succession, allowing his daughter Meeka to ascend to the throne upon his death. Lavelle, recognizing his potential to bridge the gap between Zamunda and the outside world, is appointed as an ambassador to the United States. In a symbolic gesture of unity and reconciliation, Akeem extends an invitation to Mary's family to join in a grand celebration of Lavelle and Mirembe's marriage at the royal palace. The festivities culminate in a jubilant performance of "We Are Family" by Sexual Chocolate, cementing the bonds of love and friendship that transcend borders and cultures.
Trivia[]
- General Izzi is the son of Colonel Izzi, a minor character in the 1st film and the brother of Imani, the bride offered to Akeem shortly before meeting Lisa.
- It is possible that the Colonel was the previous leader of Nexdoria and when Akeem choose to marry Lisa instead of Imani, he hated the Zamundans which spread to General Izzi in his early early life, making Colonel Izzi the possible hidden overarching antagonist of the film.