Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey join stellar cast of Richard Pryor bio

PanARMENIAN.Net - The long-in-development untitled Richard Pryor biopic seems to take a significant step as it has finalized its cast ensemble. Among the star-studded cast members are Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Mike Epps and Kate Hudson.

As AceShowbiz reports citing Deadline, the Weinstein Company is ready to greenlight the biopic which will be directed by Lee Daniels. Mike will take the lead role as the late Richard, one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians responsible for changing the face of stand-up comedy forever.

Eddie will star as the central figure's father, Leroy "Buck Carter" Pryor, and Oprah will play Richard's grandmother. While this will be the first time Eddie works with Lee, the film will reunite the director with Oprah, whom he directed in blockbuster "Lee Daniels' The Butler".

Additionally, Kate has been confirmed to play Richard's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor. Before Kate, Anne Hathaway was up for the role. The script is written by Bill Condon and Lee's "Empire" collaborator Danny Strong and Bruce Cohen. The biopic is scheduled to start filming in March 2016.

Jennifer is involved as producer in the film which will feature Richard's meteoric rise, starting with his childhood and moving through his harder years in entertainment industry. It will also chronicle how Richard maintains his career while going through ups and downs. The official release date has yet to be announced, but the movie is expected to arrive in 2016.