Yep, that’s it in a nutshell. According to Entertainment Weekly, the part of late-great comedian Richard Pryor in the biopic, once to be played by Oscar-nominee (and Norbit star) Eddie Murphy will now be played by Marlon “Ripcord” Wayans. Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) is still set to direct with Sony Pictures and Happy Madison (the Adam Sandler production company) replacing Paramount (who left with Murphy) as producers.
Wayans is not all bad, though he’s certainly been so lately. Before G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Wayans starred in and co-wrote Little Man, White Chicks and Dance Flick – arguably the 3 worst films of the last 5 years (among many other contenders mind you). The point being that Wayans has a lot to prove. He’s going to need to give a big, impressive Requiem for a Dream-quality performance to earn his penance.
That being said, motivation like that can push performers to do great things. Murphy, after all, was offered the same ultimatum with Dreamgirls and knocked it out of the part.
What do you think of this news?