The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Academy Award nominated director Lee Daniels (The Butler, The Paperboy) has departed the upcoming biopic about legendary comedian Richard Pryor.
The Precious director has had to leave the project, currently in pre-production, due to scheduling conflicts with his hit television show Empire (for which he is showrunner) as well as his new show Star, which has recently been ordered for a full season by Fox.
It is thought the plans for the film have not changed, and that The Weinstein Company are still pushing ahead with its planned October filming dates. In addition, Daniels’ departure should not affect the cast of the film, which has Mike Epps (Nina) set to star as Pryor alongside Oprah Winfrey (The Butler), Eddie Murphy (Mr. Church) and Kate Hudson (Mother’s Day).
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