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Marlon Wayans Lands The Role of Richard Pryor
Published by Clay Cane on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:00 am.
One man’s trash is another man’s gold. Last year, Eddie Murphy bailed on the Richard Pryor biopic. Allegedly, his reason for dropping the project was due to conflicts with Paramount Pictures. While it has been well known that comedian Marlon Wayans was in the running for the role, word was just released yesterday that Wayans will officially play the greatest comedian to have ever lived — Richard Pryor. However, from the start, 37 year-old Marlon has got some criticism from fans of Pryor — can a man who starred in movies like White Chicks and Scary Movie really be effective as a complex person like Pryor? Wayans told the LA Times:
“Look, I want to be able to make the stupidest movies ever, because they make people laugh and they make money,” Wayans recently said with a smirk. “But that’s not all I want to do. And I think I’ve proven to some people — the ones paying attention — that I can do more. Everybody else, well, they can wait and see and make up their mind.”
Bill Condon, who was the director of Dreamgirls, wrote the script and is the director. For the director and actor, Pryor is a huge project. He had four wives, a severe drug addiction, set himself on fire when freebasing crack cocaine, but, most importantly, reinvented the title of comedian. In 2005, Pryor died at 65 after a heart attack and a battle with multiple sclerosis.
Pryor was revolutionary, groundbreaking and found a way to make race funny to Black and White audiences. In 1986, Pryor released the film loosely based on his life, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. The film was a box office and critical disaster. Condon’s biopic, titled Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, is said to be a more realistic take on the comedian’s life. The film is set to start shooting in the fall.
I think that Marlon would do a good job portraying Mr. Richard Pryor….who knows. Depending on how well his performance is, he may even garner Academy Award buzz and recognition. Good luck Marlon.
congrats marlon–ur people love u and we support u–i’ll be waiting for the release of the movie.. ur in my prayers..
good job and keep on makeing movies u will do great!!!
What can i say. The Wayans atre very talented and i know Marlon is a great choice, and i am so proud he gained a big role such as this. i have been a fan of the wayans since they started.
KEEP UP DA GREAT WORK
I can certainly see him playing the role, but I was really hoping for Mike Epps to land this role. We’ll wait and see how he does. He deserves that chance…
I think that he is going to do a great job
If you doubt Marlon Wayans’ acting skill, forget all the comedies and watch Requim For A Dream.
You can probably get it cheap on DVD now. It’s not typical Marlon Wayans, so watch all of it and you will look at him differently.
Marlon, Oscar is waiting for you…go get it!
Maybe I am too critical of Marlon’s past endeavors. He seems like a simple boufoon. Hopefully I am wrong. No one can portray Richard Pryor in my mind but Mike Epps. I will give Marlon the benefit of the doubt, but I hope I am wrong!
I dont know if Marlon Wayans is up to play the role of the late great Richard Pryor. I dont know but we”ll deathfully see when the movie is released…
you will do great marlon,i think you will make the perfect richard pryor,i can’t think of anyone else who could play him!
He will do great I think he should have been choosing first!!!!
i love marlon!!!! yes! i think he will do an excellent job in a dramatic role. i couldnt picture jamie fox playing ray charles and that was jamie at his best i think. point is…give marlon a chance like this, he knows how important it is. he wants to do richard pryor justice, he wants to give the audience a great movie…if he believes he can do…so do i
I think he will do a great job
I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Marlon Wayans can pull it off. ANYONE out there that saw his performance in “Requiem For A Dream” will know that Marlon can do it.
I think he will do great I will be there to see the movie. Kick boooooty boy.
This is your time to shine…..!!!! Go for it and show us how GOOD you really are….U know we loved us some Richard Pryor!!!
Marlon is a really good actor and I believe that he can really pull this off….so “Go on Mr. Wayans..do ya thing!”
The late Richard Pryor will be so proud,cant wait to see how you do,been a fan of the Wayans for a life time good luck,with the movie.