Richard Pryor is one celebrity with fans who have wanted a biopic for a long time now, and according to Entertainment Tonight, there’s one in the works.
Pryor, who died in 2005, has been the subject of much fascination over the years and several screenplays have been in the works about his life but never got off the ground. Eddie Murphy and Kate Hudson are reportedly in talks to star in the film, with Murphy slated to take on the role of Pryor’s father, LeRoy. Kate Hudson, according to the report, will be playing Pryor’s wife Jennifer, who is also producing the film. Oprah Winfrey is also set to take on a role in the film.
Director Lee Daniels–the man behind Precious and the hugely popular television series Empire–posted a photo of himself with Murphy on Instagram last week, prompting rumors that they were working together.
Murphy made headlines earlier this year when news broke that he declined a role on the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special. The sketch would have seen Murphy play Bill Cosby as a Jeopardy! contestant, but the comedian refused and simply spoke about his time on the show instead. Cosby, who has been accused by over two dozen women of sexual assault that dates back decades, publicly thanked Murphy for refusing to do the sketch.
“I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions,” Cosby said.
Eddie Murphy hasn’t commented on the rumors that he’ll star in the biopic, but will be releasing a solo album this spring.