Oprah let the cat out of the bag that Mike Epps nabbed the title role as Richard Pryor in the biopic that will be directed by Lee Daniels after months of casting speculation. Winfrey posted a picture of herself, Daniels and Epps after their first script read through for the new film. Daniels also confirmed the news on Twitter. “Get ready y’all- #MikeEpps as #RichardPryor,” he wrote.
Epps beat out some stiff competition for role including Michael B. Jordan and Marlon Wayans who was attached to star in the role before the film switched producers. Nick Cannon nearly sealed the deal for the project after his audition for Lee Daniels and producers The Weinstein Company reportedly blew away the executives.
This isn’t Epps first time playing the late comedian. He also stars in Cynthia Mort’s Nina Simone that garnered controversy for Zoe Saldana’s involvement as Simone. The biopic would afford the actor-comedian a greater chance to show he’s more than a funny man and can carry a dramatic and well-rounded character.
The film has been in the works since Pryor’s death in December 2005 but has suffered from rights issues from Pryor’s estate. Richard Pryor, Jr. threatened legal action against Pryor’s widow Jennifer Lee Pryor. Now it seems with its main character filled, the film is moving full steam ahead.
Oprah has not released details about what role she’ll play in the biopic but it’s rumored that she will be instrumental behind the scenes and in front of the camera. The media mogul has been expanding her presence in the movie making business since the move to owning her own network. She produced The Hundred-Foot Journey being released this year as well as Ava Duvernay’s MLK Biopic Selma. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are believed to be contenders for the role of Jennifer Lee Pryor in the film.