Ehh…
Biopics seem to be “in” these days with films featuring Andre 3000 portraying Jimi Hendrix for Jimi: All Is By My Side, and Chadwick Boseman playing the king of soul James Brown in post-production as well as biopics for Whitney Houston, Aaliyah and N.W.A. in the works. Well you can add another biopic to the list, as Nick Cannon will reportedly play legendary comic, Richard Pryor.
We know what you’re thinking — why pick a subpar comedian and actor to play the one of the funniest, most revered men in stand-up and film history? Well, simply put, his buddy Lee Daniels will be sitting in the directors chair and according to Cannon they’ve already “sat” together to work on “getting it right.”
Michael B. Jordan, Eddie Murphy, and Marlon Wayans have all been in talks for the role, with Wayans in the running after he apparently “wowed” Harvey Weinstein of film studio, The Weinstein Company and he since he was favored by Richard Pryor Jr. and Rain Pryor for the role. Well, sorry Marlon, Nick beat you to it. He explained to TMZ in an interview Wednesday:
Here’s the thing. There have been a lot of people out there who’ve discussed playing this role. I never want to jinx anything because you guys know how movies work. If it’s not in production, it’s not real. So all I’ll say is that I’m doing the work right now. I’m doing everything that I need to do to embody it when the opportunity is right.
News of Cannon being casted as Pryor explains his hairstyle at last weeks BET Awards, as the Drumline star sported a mini fro and mustache — Pryor’s signature style.
Let’s just pray for the best on this one.
Khari Clarke is on Twitter (@KINGCLARKEIII)
