Marlon Wayans To Play Richard Pryor In New Film

by **Nygee** Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:58 am

Bet you didn’t see this one coming. After such comedic names like EDDIE MURPHY, DAVE CHAPPELLE and MIKE EPPS have been floated as possible headliners in a Richard Pryor biopic, in the end it was MARLON WAYANS who walked away with the role Murphy called ‘the chance of a lifetime.’

The Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) helmed film originally set-up with Dave attached to play Pryor but that deal fell apart as soon as he did. Then three years later, Murphy entered the picture, getting it set-up at Paramount, despite the fact that Pryor himself deemed Epps worthy enough to play this complicated character who was just as dark and brooding as he was funny. But Epps isn’t studio enough to open what is sure to be a big film. Enter Marlon. The longtime funnyman has signed on to play Pryor in Richard Pryor: Is it Something I Said, which will be directed by Condon and produced by Adam Sandler. You got all that?

Apparently Wayans fought hard for this role, even submitting a thirteen minute screen test where he reportedly ‘transformed into Pryor’. The early buzz on the screen test – which almost leaked online last week – is that Marlon may be looking at his ‘Ray Moment’ (of course talking about Jamie Foxx’s other-worldly turn as Ray Charles). CHRIS ROCK and Pryor widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor are also on board to produce. Wayans deal is set to be finalized this week with shooting to begin in the spring.

So, what do you think? Can Marlon pull off the role that every comedian wanted?

by **Illuminated One** Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:40 pm

FINALLY THEY GIVING MY DUDE A FUCKING SHOT!

i was pissed when he was recently referred to as a B List actor along with all the other actors in G I JOE: Rise of the Cobra

and Wayans Bros should have had a final episode lol