Eddie Murphy isn’t known for loading up his schedule with too many films, but he has been gearing up his non-Shrek career in recent years. He’s now attached to Lee Daniels’ Richard Pryor biopic – but not as the comedian himself. Instead, he’ll be LeRoy “Buck Carter” Pryor.
> > > [Strap in and brace yourself. They done let me and him out of our cages! #idonteventhinkimreadyforthisone! #excited #proud #OMG](https://instagram.com/p/0JORsNuJBF/) > > A photo posted by Lee Daniels (@theoriginalbigdaddy) on Mar 12, 2015 at 3:17pm PDT
As reported by Variety, Mike Epps is still attached to play Pryor himself, with Murphy has his war veteran boxer dad. It’s just the latest attempt to turn Pryor’s life into a film, with actors and directors hovering over the idea for years. Bill Condon was developing something with Murphy in mind to star, but that has since been superseded by a project spawned by Pryor himself before his death, choosing Epps to play him and hiring Walter Hill to direct.
The project has been through the development wringer since then, but now The Butler’s Daniels is on board to direct, with Oprah Winfrey and Kate Hudson rumoured to be taking roles. There’s no word on when this one will be shooting, but with casting falling into place, we’d imagine soon, especially if producer Harvey Weinstein wants it ready as a potential awards contender. As for Murphy, he'll next be seen in Cook.