Oprah Winfrey Plays Richard Pryor's Grandmother in Biopic

With the growing number of celebrity biopics hitting the big and small screens it was only a matter of time before someone decided to tell the story of late comedian Richard Pryor. Well, that time will soon come as the production team for the upcoming Richard Pryor biopic are already in the process of assembling an all-star cast to bring the story to life. Among that list is media mogul and founder of the OWN Network, Oprah Winfrey, who is set to play Pryor's grandmother.

According to the Electronic Urban Report (EUR), The Weinstein Company is moving forward with the project and production will begin in March 2016. Set to take on the lead role as Pryor is comedian Mike Epps who beat out several other actors and comedians gunning for the role. Also cast to star in the film is veteran actor Eddie Murphy who will portray the role of Pryor's father, Leroy "Buck Carter" Pryor.

Winfrey, who as of lately has been taking a back seat to roles in front of the camera and has gone behind the scenes as a producer to several projects, will now shine on camera in the role of Pryor's grandmother, Marie Carter, who EUR reports "ran a brothel and raised the comedy icon."

This will be a role unlike others where Winfrey portrayed profound characters with positive influence and reputation. As Deadline noted, "Winfrey is very particular in the roles she plays-The Butler and Selma were the last two-and it is unexpected that she will play the brothel owner Marie Carter." It is reported that Pryor was raised by his grandmother in the disorderly home, where she was the madam and his own biological mother worked as a prostitute.

Needless to say, Pryor witnessed a lot in his days as a child, which is more than likely where some of his great stand-up routines stemmed from - art imitating life.

The script will be composed by Bill Condon, and teaming up for a second time in production and directing, is Harvey Weinstein (The Butler) and Lee Daniels (The Butler, Fox's Empire). Kate Hudson has also signed on to portray Jennifer Lee Pryor, Pryor's widow, who is also involved in the project as a producer. Daniels will begin production after wrapping up the second season of his hit Fox series Empire.

Tags

Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels, Eddie Murphy, Kate Hudson