Back in February, Screen Rant reported that actor Eddie Murphy would portray Richard Pryor in a Bill Condon-directed biopic of the late comedian’s life, tentatively titled Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? At the time, the fit seemed perfect. Not only were Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor friends, but they are both respected as two of the most influential and successful comics in history. As of last week, however, it appears that Murphy won’t be stepping into the shoes of his longtime friend. According to an article over at HitFix, Murphy has been replaced in the role by actor Marlon Wayans (G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra).

In addition to the news that Murphy is out and Wayans is in, Paramount and Fox Searchlight are no longer considered potential distributors for the film. Instead, the project will now be produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison production company, which operates under the umbrella of Sony Pictures.

If there was ever a list of comedians whose lives are worthy of being made into a biopic, then surely the legend that is Richard Pryor would be near the top. Well it appears that none other than Eddie Murphy is attached to play Pryor in an upcoming film about his life, known for the time being as Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?

Pryor himself directed, wrote and starred in a fictionalized version of his life in the mid ’80s called Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling but this new film is said to “depict the events more realistically.” The film has been freed up by Oscar winning writer/director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) and producer Mark Gordon who have shopped it around at various studios.