In what has become a highly sought after role, Mike Epps has been cast in Lee Daniels upcoming Richard Pryor biopic. He all but confirmed this via his Twitter account. And apparently, Oprah is involved:
Get ready y'all- #MikeEpps as #RichardPryor pic.twitter.com/0sothu7yVB
— lee daniels (@leedanielsent) August 24, 2014
Nick Cannon was long rumored to be the lead for the role, but it was Epps’ past screen test for another Richard Pryor biopic that did the trick:
After blowing away everybody with his audition, actor-comic Mike Epps has emerged as the front-runner to star as Richard Pryor in the biopic that Lee Daniels will direct at The Weinstein Company. Daniels has been in TWC headquarters working with and auditioning a group of young actors that has included Epps, Michael B. Jordan, Marlon Wayans, and Nick Cannon (Deadline, 8/11/14).
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Sources/Credit and Links:
1. Featured image via Twitter
2. Original reporting via Deadline