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Comment RSSMarlon Wayans Replacing Eddie Murphy As Richard Pryor
9.10.09 # News # 7 Comments
A biopic of the late great Richard Pryor is on the way, and though it was once a vehicle for former foul-mouthed funny man Eddie Murphy, it now seems that Marlon Wayans has taken his place.
Most famous for his performances in the much derided Spoof Movie franchise, the latest being Dance Flick, Marlon Wayans has worked with The Coen Brothers and Darren Aronofsky previously, indicating that he’s secretly really talented despite evidence to the contrary. He may have the still have the fresh stink of summer turkey G.I. Joe on him, but it isn’t like Eddie Murphy’s been in a decent film recently…Imagine That, Meet Dave, Norbit, Shrek…
The movie is set to be directed by Bill Condon, the man behind Dreamgirls.
Condon’s film will chart the turbulent life and times of Pryor, a man described by fellow comic Jerry Seinfeld as “the Picasso of our profession”. Pryor electrified the 1970s with his profane, taboo-baiting standup, co-wrote Blazing Saddles alongside Mel Brooks and starred in such films as Stir Crazy, Lady Sings the Blues and Superman III.
Yet Pryor’s onstage genius went hand-in-hand with his offstage troubles. In 1980 he set himself alight after freebasing cocaine while drinking rum and almost died. Pryor’s later years were blighted by multiple sclerosis. He died from heart failure in December 2005.
It’s a shame that Eddie Murphy has lost out on a possibly career-resuscitating role – he does a mean Richard Pryor impression:
But what say you of the Wayans casting? Genius? Madness?
Source: The Guardian
Posted by 
For some reason I really want to see Eddie Murphy get a meaty dramatic leading role. I’m fed up of him in family comedy land. This should have been it. He’s always worshipped Richard Pryor and was a close friend of his.
Marlon Wayans? I guess if he did a toned down version of his hyper act it could vaguely match. Hard to see the physical similarity. Seems too much of a stretch at this point.
I have to pick you up on something,
Are you trying to say that he was no good as Donkey? Shrek is a great movie and wouldn’t have been anywhere near as good without Murphy’s voice talent.
Anyway, regardless of which actor plays him it’s bound to be a barrel of laughs. What’s not funny about
This movie just went straight to DVD.
@Thom
I was just baiting you with the Shrek thing
I personally think it’s overrated, but it’s a career highlight, no question.
TO CHRIS ROCK:
SO ironic that you are talking about your poor, scalding scalp, and how it burned from all those chemicals…when you are completely clueless when it comes to how those innocent dogs suffered while being tortured by Michael Vick!
We were on the front page of Variety today and the timing is unfortunate for it comes the same day I am forced to write this letter!
Richard and I established Pryor’s Planet, a non-profit, before he passed, for the purpose of rescuing and rehabilitating homeless and abused or neglected dogs, so they can go into loving, forever homes! PRYOR’S PLANET is an all breed rescue: which means, we rescue everything from little white, fluffy dogs to Pitbulls.
We currently have 40 dogs we are caring for while they await their forever homes.
Among these 40 dogs, Pryor’s Planet has 7 Pitbulls (actually American Staffordshire Terriers), all of whom are receiving care and training while they await their forever homes, at great expense I might add! Each one is a sweet and affectionate dog who was mistreated, or dumped or neglected all because of their breed! These are sentient, thinking beings with real feelings.
SOMEONE PUT THIS ON MY FACE BOOK PAGE THIS MORNING:
Chris asks, “What did Vick do? Pit bulls aren’t real dogs anyway.” If he doesn’t understand at this point then I guess he never will. If you’re taking Vick’s side, it’s unforgivable. This is as bad as if a white guy on a 50’s talk show defended killing a black man. “I mean, it’s not like he’s a real human. What did he do?”
Regarding those comments Chris: “What did Michael Vick do? Pitbulls aren’t even real dogs!”
What Michael Vick did was torture, drown, electrocute and murder several dogs all for fun and for profit! He went to prison for FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY! That’s what he did!
Because of your insensitive and ignorant remarks that you made on The Jay Leno Show,The David Letterman show and various public forums and websites; I have notified my attorney and Bill Condon directly that I don’t want you, Chris Rock, associated with the Richard Pryor Bio Pic—UNLESS, you find a way to retract and apologize for these comments in some public way.
Clearly this is part of your latest stand-up routine which frankly, would not make Richard laugh!
Richard knew you and I know you, Chris, you are not from the streets, nor are you a country bumkin…so to whom are you trying to appeal with these outrageous remarks? These type of comments only foment and encourage abuse and misunderstanding of this breed as well as actual dog fighting. Kind of like Rush Limbaugh does for the crazy right!
Do you want to become the Rush Limbaugh to the rescue community?
I have personally been involved in saving Pits from fight rings in Texas and California and in fact have one in my personal pack who was used as a ‘bait dog’ in a fight ring…a sweet, young puppy who is now a sweet adult dog!
Below is a video link to a dog we rescued from Bakersfield Shelter, abused and starved…he is the sweetest dog!
Eli The Great Video
Outraged and hurt,
Jennifer Lee Pryor
wat
That’s Richard Pryor’s widow. Sending a message to Chris Rock who said some things while out promoting his new documentary about hair – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213585/