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Eddie Murphy Drops Out of Richard Pryor Biopic

by Frank Liao | October 7, 2009 at 03:49 pm

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Eddie Murphy has dropped out of playing the role of Richard Pryor in a new film biopic about his life. The favorite to land the part is now Marlon Wayans, who fought hard to get the role. Wayan really impressed the producers of the film in his 13 minute screen test, where he "transformed into Pryor".

Fans of Murphy will most likely be pretty disappointed, considering the fact that Murphy can do a dead on impersonation of Richard Pryor.

The film is set to be produced by Chris Rock, Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor, and Mark Gordon.

Honestly, it's a little disappointing that Murphy will not be playing Pryor. He does the best impressions of the late comedian that I have seen. Plus, it would have been a high point to add to his career, since it hasn't really been the best as of late. The Wayans choice throws me for a loop. It's not that he doesn't have dramatic chops, the guy did well in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. I think it's really just looking back to all the rest of the films he's been in LITTLE MAN, 2 SCARY MOVIES (so far), THE LADYKILLERS, etc. I suppose that you cannot hold those films against him and that if he did blow the producers away then maybe there's some hope

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Mustache Commander

at 16:26 on October 7th, 2009

Chris Rock, bless his comedic soul, also doesn't exactly give me reasons to believe he is going to be any good as a producer?

tal (not verified)

at 02:34 on October 10th, 2009

What made Eddie Murphy drop out. I think Richard Pryor would have love for Eddie Murphy to play him. I think best person to play him is Murphy. If Marlon Wayans do a better job, I will be very surprised. I think Eddie Murphy should be involve with the producing. Pryor and Eddie did Movie together. I think they need to bring Eddie Murphy back to doing the movie and let him help with the producing,