Mike Epps to Play Richard Pryor in Biopic
Director Lee Daniels has confirmed via Twitter that Mike Epps (The Hangover and The Hangover III) is set to play Richard Pryor in a new biopic. Over the years other actors rumored to be up for the role have included Nick Cannon, Michael B. Jordan, and Marlon Wayans.
Daniels released a photo of himself (below) with Epps and Oprah Winfrey with the following caption, "Get ready y'all- #MikeEpps as #RichardPryor." Deadline previously reported that Epps blew everyone away at his audition and that Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway were on the list of options to play Pryor’s widow, Jennifer.
The movie will depict Pryor’s controversial brand of comedy and his battle with drugs. Pryor's widow, Jennifer Pryor, is also producing the film, and she "brings to the project more than 50 pages of Pryor's personal journals, which offer a glimpse into his brilliant, but dark, mind."
Richard Pryor was a freakin' funny comedian. I loved watching the films he starred in, and the guy always made me laugh. This should make for a very interesting film that tells a story that needs to be heard.