Richard Pryor is next in line to get the biopic treatment. Today it was confirmed that the late comedic great will have his story told by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
MGM has secured the worldwide rights to the upcoming film, which will be directed, written and produced by Barris. As of yet, the Pryor project does not have an official title.
"The way Pryor did what he did — with truth and specificity that was somehow self-aware and self-deprecating, and said with an unmatched level of vulnerability — that was the power and impact of his work," Barris said in a statement. "Pryor had a voice that was distinctly his and, in many ways, comedy since then has been derivative of what he created. To me, this is a film about that voice, the journey that shaped it, and what it took for it to come to be."
Richard Pryor's widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor, and her Tarnished Angel are also onboard as producers, as is Tory Metzger for Levantine Films. Adam Rosenberg will serve as executive producer.
"Having had a front row seat to much of Richard's life, I am excited that the mystery of his genius is finally going to be explored and Kenya Barris is the perfect person to do it. Richard and Kenya are creative brothers," Jennifer Lee Pryor said.
It's unclear when the biopic could see release, but stay tuned.
MGM has secured the worldwide rights to the upcoming film, which will be directed, written and produced by Barris. As of yet, the Pryor project does not have an official title.
"The way Pryor did what he did — with truth and specificity that was somehow self-aware and self-deprecating, and said with an unmatched level of vulnerability — that was the power and impact of his work," Barris said in a statement. "Pryor had a voice that was distinctly his and, in many ways, comedy since then has been derivative of what he created. To me, this is a film about that voice, the journey that shaped it, and what it took for it to come to be."
Richard Pryor's widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor, and her Tarnished Angel are also onboard as producers, as is Tory Metzger for Levantine Films. Adam Rosenberg will serve as executive producer.
"Having had a front row seat to much of Richard's life, I am excited that the mystery of his genius is finally going to be explored and Kenya Barris is the perfect person to do it. Richard and Kenya are creative brothers," Jennifer Lee Pryor said.
It's unclear when the biopic could see release, but stay tuned.
