Forest Whitaker tapped to produce a new Richard Pryor biopic

Posted by | Ray Cornelius

Leave it up to Forest Whitaker to save the day!

BET.com is reporting that the Oscar-winning actor and acclaimed film director is on board now to produce a biopic on the life of groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor.

Whitaker is teaming up with Pryor’s widow Jennifer Pryor and developing a new script for the film that will be produced through his production company. Deadline.com is already speculating that Whitaker may have acting newbie Michael B. Jordon in mind for the leading role of Pryor. The two actors worked together last year on the Sundance hit film Fruitvale.

The Richard Pryor biopic has been in the works for a number of years now with several noted directors trying to get their version of his remarkable life story on the big screen including Bill Condon, Martin Scorcese and Kasi Lemmons.

In addition, several comedic actors have also been associated with alleged Pryor biopics including Eddie Griffith, Chris Rock, Damon and Marlon Wayans and Eddie Murphy. However, the last time we checked, comedian Mike Epps is the only actor so far to play Pryor in a film.  He will star alongside Zoe Saldana in this year’s highly anticipated Nina Simone film. Reportedly, Pryor and Simone worked together when the fairly unknown stand-up comic opened for the rising jazz singer during the 1960’s.

What are your thoughts about a Richard Pryor biopic? Who do you think should play the iconic star?