Marlon Wayans Replaces Murphy in Pryor Biopic

Published by Jeff Leins on October 7, 2009

Marlon Wayans will play the lead in a biopic titled Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, a role originally set as a star vehicle for former comedian Eddie Murphy.

Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) wrote the script and will direct a story that focuses on Pryor’s drug addiction and controversial, yet groundbreaking comedy.  Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, stand-up Chris Rock, and Sony Pictures will back the $20 million movie.

This is awful news for many, many reasons, but let’s start with Eddie Murphy’s departure.  Reports indicate he dropped out over conflicts with Paramount, who was at one time set up to finance the project.  This means Murphy, who regularly credits the influential comic/actor for his success, won’t be portraying his idol or re-teaming with Condon.  Their last collaboration results in a “Best Supporting Actor” nod for Murphy amidst a sea of fat suits and box office bombs.  I can’t imagine what else Eddie Murphy has going on that would trump playing Pryor.

Instead we get Wayans, who usually makes his money churning out rarely funny parody flicks, has delivered probably one good performance in his 20+ year career.  2000’s Requiem for a Dream.  The rest has been dressing up as a “white chick,” playing an infant, or delivering G.I. Joe wisecracks.  How Condon saw Wayans as a fit for the part is beyond baffling at this point.

Though, according to Entertainment Weekly, Wayans blew the producers away with a 13-minute screen test shot by Condon that included two scenes straight from the emotionally challenging script.  He “transforms into Pryor” apparently.  I’ll believe it when I see it.