Epps will bring Pryor’s story to the big screen…
It has been announced, via Twitter, that Mike Epps (‘The Hangover,’ Jumping the Broom,’ ‘Sparkle’) is to portray Richard Pryor in director Lee Daniels’ biopic of the legendary comedian.
Daniels posted a photo of himself, actress/producer Oprah Winfrey and Epps, with the caption, “And we’re off… Get ready y’all for #richardpryor @eppsie @oprah”
Get ready y’all- #MikeEpps as #RichardPryor pic.twitter.com/0sothu7yVB
— lee daniels (@leedanielsent) August 24, 2014
Epps, who was signed to play Pryor in a prior incarnation of the biopic, was in contention with ‘Fruitvale Station’ star Michael B. Jordan, Marlon Wayans (‘Haunted House’) and Nick Cannon for the Daniels-directed film. He reportedly secured the coveted gig after his explosive audition blew away producers.
Pryor, who became famous for his controversial stand-up work in the 1970s and ’80s before going on to star in a number of Hollywood films, died of a heart attack in 2006. The late comic’s widow, Jennifer Pryor, is producing the biopic.