Since the dawn of time, Hollywood has been slowly but surely getting their ducks in a row for a big splashy Richard Pryor biopic. We might be exaggerating a tad about how long chatter of a Pryor motion picture has been going on for (it’s probably more like since the Renaissance), but this project has been moving at a notably glacial pace. For those thirsty for such a film, we come bearing news that should breed optimism this thing’ll finally get made.
Variety reports that Lee Daniels has returned to the film after initially exiting it in May. The Empire co-creator will be directing the film, currently christened Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said, using a script penned by Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon. A busy schedule was what pushed Daniels out the first go-around, but the new arrangement sees The Weinstein Company’s Pryor pictures lined up to start in early 2017.
The other notable slice of news to tumble out regarding the upcoming motion picture is Jay Z joining the project. The MC/mogul will be serving as a producer on the film and you’re welcome to speculate wildly about any other involvement off that initial detail. Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said cast Mike Epps in the coveted title role two years back and the cinematic offering will also include Kate Hudson as his widow Jennifer Lee Pryor and Oprah Winfrey as Pryor’s grandmother. A release date has yet to be determined.
(Via Variety)
