Screen Rant » richard pryor

Marlon Wayans on Playing Richard Pryor

Kofi Outlaw — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:08:37 +0000

The Los Angeles Times has some new words from Marlon Wayans on how he’s getting along playing late comic legend Richard Pryor in the biopic Richard Pryor: Is it Something I Said?, which is being directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls).

In the interview, Wayans and the film’s producer describe the challenge of playing a huge figure like Richard Pryor, if Marlon is up to the task and even address all of those silly Wayans Brothers movies that some people love to hate.

Playing Richard Pryor is not going to be easy. Pryor was one of the craziest, rawest, realest, incendiary, engaging and funny performers ever to take the stage. And that’s just him as a performer.

Pryor’s personal life was equally dramatic, including multiple wives and mistresses, kids by different women, controversy, drug addiction and tragic injury.

So when you take a ...

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Marlon Wayans Replaces Eddie Murphy in Richard Pryor Biopic

Rob Frappier — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:22:38 +0000

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 ...

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Eddie Murphy To Play Richard Pryor

Ross Miller — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:07:11 +0000

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.

Although originally developed by The Weinstein Company and almost secured by Paramount ...

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