After years of starts and stops, directorLee Danielshas finally gotten the green light on hisbiopic,Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?Themain casthas been confirmed, withpreviously announcedactorsMike Epps,Eddie MurphyandKate Hudsonstill attached. New to the cast isOprah Winfrey, who has long been attached as a producer. The movie will shoot in March, afterLee Danielshas wrapped onEmpire Season 2. The Weinstein Company is producing.
Mike Eppsis officially locked to headline Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, starring as the iconic comedian.Eddie Murphyis playing Richard’s father Leroy ‘Buck’ Pryor.Kate Hudsonis starring as Richard’s widow Jennifer Lee Pryor.Oprah Winfreyis set to play Pryor’s grandmother, who is infamous for running a brothel while raising Richard.
Lee Danielsworked with bothOprah Winfreyand The Weinstein Company on his blockbuster smashLee Daniels' the Butler, which held consecutive #1 weekends at the box office when it was released in August 2013.Bill Condon, who is currently directing the live-action movieBeauty and the Beastfor Disney, collaborated on the screenplay with Danny Strong, who works with Daniels on Empire. Bruce Cohen and Jennifer Lee Pryor are both involved in the creative process, serving as consultants and producers.
Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? will not only look at the comedian’s life on stage, but will also focus on some of the more compelling aspects ofRichard Pryor’s past, tracking his rise and fall from the time he was born until the time of his death. The beginning of the movie will focus on Pryor’s grandmother Marie Carter as she raises her grandson around a group of prostitutes that included his own biological mother. This is also whereEddie Murphywill play a prominent role, as the movie delves deep into the comedian’s upbringing.
Mike Eppshas long ties to the project. The comedian emerged as a front runner for the role in 2014 after he delivered an audition that is said to have flooredLee Daniels,Oprah Winfreyand the rest of the creative team. Other actors competing for the role at that time includedMichael B. Jordan,Marlon WayansandNick Cannon.Mike EppsandMarlon Wayanshad both won the role at various times in pastincarnationsthat never moved forward.
Marlon Wayanswas set to playRichard Pryorin a Sony produced version of the biopic which hadBill Condonattached to direct. Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison was producing.Mike Eppswas first set to play the role over a decade ago, way back in 2005. At the time,Richard Pryorwas still alive and was helping to create the movie. He was also a supporter ofMike Epps, with the film being produced through Pryor’s Indigo Productions alongside his wife. At the time, 48 Hours directorWalter Hillwas set to co-write and direct. About his long road to making Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? become a reality,Mike Eppshad this to say.
“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.”
Jennifer Lee Pryor has been with every incarnation of the project, and fully supportsMike Eppsplaying her husband. What do you think of this incredible cast that is bringingRichard Pryor’s story to the big screen? It has to be better than 1986’s Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, which hadRichard Pryorplaying a loose version of himself.
