Eddie Murphy is set to play Richard Pryor in a new biopic.
Hoo boy, this could either be the thing that wins Eddie Murphy an Oscar or his worst career movie since Norbit. HitFix and EW.com are both reporting that Murphy is attached to star in a new biopic about the life of groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor, tentatively titled Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?
The film is written and directed by Bill Condon, who famously guided Murphy to his first Oscar nod for Dreamgirls. Originally set to be made under The Weinstein Company’s banner, the project has recently gone on the open market and both Paramount and Fox Searchlight (which just produced the Biggie Smalls biopic Notorious) are rumored to be interested in scooping it up…if the price is right. It seems appropriate for Murphy to take on the part since he always considered Pryor a personal hero and a major influence on his own career. At the height of his star power in the ’80s, he even the elder comic in his ill-fated directorial debut Harlem Nights. Early reports indicate that Condon is also seeking an actor to play Pryor’s own mentor, the late, great Redd Foxx. Cedric the Entertainer is an obvious choice, but may we suggest the underrated comic genius Chi McBride? Now that Pushing Daisies has been canceled, he’s got plenty of free time on his hands.
Watch the trailer for Harlem Nights below and then study these separate stand-up bits from Pryor and Murphy.
