Furthering his remarkable comeback from a near-fatal accident on the New Jersey Turnpike in 2014, Tracy Morgan has been announced for a role in the upcoming biopic Richard Pryor: Is it Something I Said?
Morgan (the upcoming Fist Fight) will portray irascible comedy legend Redd Foxx, who as the owner of comedy club was instrumental in getting Pryor to open up his act, make it more authentic and own his material. Mike Epps is the late Pryor, with Kate Hudson (Rock the Kasbah) as his wife Jennifer. Rounding out the all-star cast are Eddie Murphy and Taraji P. Henson as Pryor’s parents and Oprah Winfrey as his grandmother who was primarily responsible for his upbringing.
Foxx’s role in Pryor’s development was instrumental in bringing forth the legendary comedian’s unique stage presence. After Foxx’s stint as a club owner and as a standup, he went on to star in the groundbreaking sitcom Sanford and Son. Foxx later appeared with both Pryor and Murphy in the 1998 crime caper Harlem Nights.
Morgan’s recent comeback from the disastrous limo crash last year has included a stint hosting at his old stomping grounds, Saturday Night Live. He’s also signed on for a supporting role in the comedy Fist Fight alongside Ice Cube and Charlie Day.
Lee Daniels (The Butler) will direct from screenplay by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls). Nina Yang Bongiovi, Bruce Cohen and Jennifer Lee Pryor (the comedian’s widow) are producing alongside The Weinstein Company. The film is currently in pre-production with no release date planned as of yet.
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