Earlier this month it was reported that Mike Epps (The Hangover, Sparkle) had an explosive screen test for the role of Richard Pryor in The Weinstein Company’s upcoming biopic of the legendary comedian, and now director Lee Daniels (The Butler) has taken to Twitter to confirm his casting, with Epps set to star alongside Oprah Winfrey…
Several actors have been under consideration for the role of Pryor over the years, including Michael B. Jordan, Nick Cannon and Marlon Wayans, with the latter actually signed on to the film when it was at Sony, with Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) then set to direct. As it happens, the biopic won’t be the first time we see Epps as Pryor, as he is set to appear as the late comic in Cynthia Mort’s upcoming Nina Simone biopic Nina, whihc is currently in post-production.
Originally published August 26, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
