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With Eddie Murphy's box office status on the decline and Marlon Wayan's on the rise, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Wayans is being tapped to replace Murphy in 'Richard Pryor: Is it Something I Said?' for Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and Sony Pictures.
Directed by Bill Condon ('Dreamgirls'), the movie explores Pryor's controversial brand of comedy and his battle with drugs. The movie is currently budgeted at $20 million.
Chris Rock, Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor and Mark Gordon will produce the film.
Wayans recently appeared in 'G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,' which grossed $297 million worldwide. In 1999, he turned heads when he played a drug addict opposite Jared Leto in 'Requiem for a Dream.'
Murphy's last film, 'Imagine That,' grossed a dismal $16 million worldwide. Gone are the days when he was the top grossing actor in Hollywood.
Comments: (68)
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By: Brandon on 10/09/2009 8:44AM
Why couldn't they have just kept Mike Epps as Richard Pryor, he's the closest modern comedian that is reminiscent of Richard. Eddie was a stretch in the first place and Marlon Wayans is an even bigger one, if I were Adam Sandler I would seriously reconsider casting this role at this point.
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By: Sheryl on 10/11/2009 8:56PM
I agree Brandon, Mike Epps is a 'shoe in'. Just because Marlon is a top actor at this point doesn't make him a prime choice. I mean the person doing the portraying should look somewhat like the person being portrayed. Look at the person they have for Marvin Gaye, Jesse L. Martin.... he looks exactly like Marvin
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By: BJ on 10/11/2009 9:11PM
I AGREE MIKE EPPS WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT
BUT CHRIS ROCK HAS THE VOICE LIKE CHRIS TUCKER THAT WOULD ALSO FIT
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By: Hydeparkmac on 8/30/2010 1:41AM
I agree. Plus he most certainly can use the work.
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By: Renee on 10/12/2009 3:18PM
I had heard for a LONG time that it was going to be Mike Epps. That's really jacked up. I like Marlon and all but Mike Epps has been preparing for this role for a minute.
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By: M on 10/12/2009 1:43PM
You are so right about Mike Epps playing the role for Richard Pryor. Marlan Wayans is just not that good of an actor.
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By: Ohlee on 10/08/2009 8:42PM
I Think Marlon Is SeriouslyFunny and Talented actor,ButMsrlon Playing Playing Pryor.......Make Me A Believer.
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By: sdw on 10/08/2009 11:45PM
I think Steve Harvey would work well in that role--minus about 20lbs. Steve always wanted to play that role.
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By: DUDE on 10/11/2009 8:38PM
I AGREE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT MR. HARVEY LOOKED LIKE RICHARD
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By: beautifullovedblessed on 10/09/2009 11:09AM
I was looking forward to seeing Mike Epps play this role. I don't know about this, but I'll check it either way I supposed. I expect them to do Richard right.
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