Eddie Murphy’s chance to win all the awards playing Richard Pryor in Bill Condon’s project about the legendary stand-up comedian faded away in 2009, but Hollywood is all about second chances, is it not? On Friday, we told you that Murphy was going play a key role in telling Pryor’s story on the big screen, and now we know who Murphy will play.
According to ET Online, Murphy is in talks to play Pryor’s father LeRoy “Buck” Carter in Daniels’ biopic beside Mike Epps (who will play Pryor), Oprah Winfrey (Pryor’s grandmother, Marie Carter), and Kate Hudson (Pryor’s wife, Jennifer), who is also a new addition to the cast.
While the role of Pryor’s father isn’t as splashy as the lead, it should allow Murphy the chance to remind audiences that he actually can act after a nine-year run of uninspiring choices following his lauded turn as James “Thunder” Early in Condon’s Dreamgirls.
A hard man and former boxer who was prone to violence, LeRoy “Buck” Carter tended bar and co-ran the brothel (with Marie Carter) where Pryor was raised. Murphy seems like an odd choice to play such a joyless role, but if he can step up to the challenge, it might offer him a second chance to pivot toward more daring choices and prestigious projects. And after the failures of Meet Dave, Imagine That, and One Thousand Words, Murphy could use that career third act because he’s long past the days when he was a heavily sought after comedic leading man and a reliable box-office draw.
The chance to co-star in Daniels’ Richard Pryor biopic isn’t just a gift to Murphy, though. Daniels is getting something out of it, too. Adding Murphy means that the project also gets a seal of approval from a comedy legend, protege, and former co-star of Pryor’s in Harlem Nights. Was it needed? Not necessarily, but to some, it may add more legitimacy to a story about a complex man that may not be all rainbows and lollipops.
Via ET Online
