Eddie Murphy is in talks to join the cast of Lee Daniels‘ untitled biopic of comedian Richard Pryor, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Murphy will play Pryor’s father, LeRoy “Buck Carter” Pryor, a former boxer. Mike Epps had been previously cast as the late comedian, while Kate Hudson will play his wife, Jennifer Pryor.
Oprah Winfrey is also set to play Pryor’s grandmother in the film.
Speculation about Murphy’s involvement in the Weinstein Company project rose when the director posted a photo of himself with the actor to Instagram, captioning it, “Strap in and brace yourself. They done let me and him out of our cages! #idonteventhinkimreadyforthisone! #excited #proud #OMG.”
Murphy is represented by WME.