“Dreamgirls” director, Bill Condon, is in negotiations with Columbia Pictures to direct the Richard Pryor biopic. Condon has been dreaming of directing a Richard Pryor film for many years, and Columbia wants to make his dream come true for him.

Eddie Murphy was originally set to star as Richard Pryor in the film, but Murphy dropped out due to the film switching studios and Murphy wanting a higher paycheck. The film was first developed by The Weinstein Co. but Harvey Weinstein sold the rights to Condon ’cause he knew that Condon would be the right guy for the film.

Adam Sandler’s film company, Happy Madison, ended up getting the movie along with Chris Rock, Jennifer Pryor and others to produce it. They got it because they know Richard Pryor more than anybody and they wanted to make a Richard Pryor film right.

They plan to begin filming in the Spring of 2010.

Variety Reports:

http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/10/col-sandler-seek-pryor-engagement.html

I like the idea of Marlon Wayans being Richard Pryor. This sounds like an Oscar opportunity for Marlon.

This will be a special film and am looking forward to it.

Richard Pryor was one of my top 5 favorite stand up comedians and film actors. I loved him in movies like, “The Toy”, “Brewster’s Millions” and “See No Evil, Hear No Evil”. RIP Pryor.

Kev