Mike Epps The Favorite To Play Richard Pryor

Mike Epps

Mike Epps is being called the frontrunner for the role of comic legend Richard Pryor in the new Lee Daniels bio pic.

Deadline reports that Epps had an amazing audition that put him in the lead for the part. Other names being mentioned for the role include Michael B. Jordan, Marlon Wayans and Nick Cannon. All of these actors have been rumored to be auditioning with both Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson who are up for the part of Richard Pryor’s widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor.

It’s also not Epps’ first time being up for the role. He was previously selected to play Pryor in 2005 in a Walter Hill directed version of the film. Epps was chosen by both Richard Pryor and his wife then, but the project fell apart before it could get off the ground. At the time, Epps said – “I met Richard and felt like I was in Oz the whole time. It’s hard to describe what he means to me or any stand-up comic. You could say he’s paid the dues for everything we do up there.”

Marlon Wayans had a similar experience when he was chosen for a Sony production of a Richard Pryor bio pic, but that also didn’t happen.

Lee Daniels is directing the Pryor film for the Weinstein Company.

 

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