I was never much of a Richard Pryor fan, but I cannot deny the mark he left on the world of comedy and I was far from disliking him. His double take and his stunned dumbstruck look are legendary. Eddie Murphy once beat Pryor out for the role in Trading Places in 1983, and now he will get to fill Pryor’s shoes again, portraying his idol and role model in a dramatic biopic of the comedian’s life.
A few different sources (EW, Hitfix) have confirmed that Eddie Murphy will play legendary comedian Richard Pryor in a new drama called Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? for director Bill Condon, who’s reuniting with Murphy following their 2006 hit Dreamgirls.
After Dreamgirls, I am surprised that Murphy didn’t strike out in movies where he could play to his dramatic strengths. Instead he began the downward spiral of family friendly films that have been more miss than hit. I don’t dislike all his films since, but I do prefer movies in which Murphy can say fuck. Comedy works for him, and always has. But he can do more.
And what an honour it must be to be able to play the part of the very man that inspired you to get into your profession to begin with. A rare opportunity indeed.
In Eddie Murphy’s feature presentation stage act Raw, he does an amazing Richard Pryor impersonation, and he has the voice and idiosyncrasies down, but he just doesn’t LOOK like Richard Pryor when he does it. Pryor’s comedy was just as much the contraversial colourful language as it was his facial expressions and reactions, so I hope that Murphy can pull those off to give us a convincing portrayal.
THE BEST BIOPIC TO US SHOULD BE DAVID CHAPPAL I HOPE THATS HOW TO SPELL HIS NAME MIKE EPPS WOULD BE 2ND CHOICE
wow this is some intresting news because it has long been rumored that mike epps was suppose to be doing the pryor biopic they said pryors wife even approved him. i wonder how this fight is going to pan out
Who says it will be a fight??
Epps was rumoured, but never confirmed.
Eddie Murphy has lost so much cred for me thanks to all the crap he’s done for most of my lifetime that I was horrified by this headline. But remembering his old work, finding out he’s a big fan of Pryor and seeing that spookily dead-on impression, this could be good. Maybe.
Rodney, your movie geek cred continues to baffle me. Not a fan of Pryor? Dude, really?
Because I have my own decisions about who I like instead of following the crowd.
I still recognize that he is a legend and the contributions and effect he had on comedy in his era.
His movies and stand up were never my cup of tea, however I can see why he was so loved for what he did.
If I only saw Pryor in movies I dont suppose I’d be a fan as such, though his had some good ones. As it is Im a massive fan of his stand up. I even read his biography, in which he said how all his films were paychecks rather than his artistic forte. Eddies the man though, give him the hair and distinctive moustache and he might just dissapear into the role.
Eddie Murphy does dead on Richard Pryor impersonation. Ricahrd Pryor the actor is not the same as Pryor the comedian, who was a comic genious who really opened his soul and let the audience see who he really was.
Harlem Nights was comedic gold, if a bit racist. Della Reese and Redd Foxx stole that movie.
I think Eddie would be able to be a convincing Richard Pryor.
RIP Mr Pryor, you are a legend.
I think this might be the first light at the end of his crappy film tunnel. Rumors have been going for a while that he wants to do stand up again. Hopefully after nailing this movie; which I’m sure he will, he will go on to become the comedic titan he once was.
I trust Eddie. I know that sounds weird to say after so many horrible movies but I think if anyone can capture the authenticity and vulnerability that is Richard Pryor it would be Eddie. I’m not entirely sure why I am happy about this news but I am.