Marlon Wayans and Eddie Murphy are also among the contenders to portray the late comedian/actor in the movie developed by The Weinstein Company.
- Jan 11, 2014
AceShowbiz - Hot on heels of his critically-acclaimed adaptation of real-life White House butler Eugene Allen, Lee Daniels eyes another biopic for his next directing vehicle. The "Lee Daniels' The Butler" helmer is in talks to sit behind the lens for an untitled Richard Pryor biopic.
"Fruitvale Station" star Michael B. Jordan is shortlisted for the lead role. The other candidates, according to The Hollywood Reporter, are Marlon Wayans and Eddie Murphy. The project is developed by The Weinstein Company, which distributed "The Butler" and "Fruitvale". Along with "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom", both movies help the company dominate the nominations at 2014 NAACP Awards with 17 nods.
Pryor, a comedian, actor, writer, and critic, died on December 10, 2005 at the age of 65. The movie is expected to cover Pryor mainly when he was in his 30s. His widow Jennifer Pryor serves as a producer. She brings to the project more than 50 pages of her late husband's personal journals, which offer a glimpse into his brilliant, but dark mind.
