A film that I am more than moderately excited about, Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? will begin shooting in the fall and hopes to ride the Oscar wave in 2011. The LA Times (via First Showing) interviewed the star, Marlon Wayans, and gave updates on the project and how he was preparing.
How will Wayans, who often resorts to unfunny slapstick to pay the bills, approach the upcoming criticism?
Look, I want to be able to make the stupidest movies ever, because they make people laugh and they make money… But that’s not all I want to do. And I think I’ve proven to some people — the ones paying attention — that I can do more. Everybody else, well, they can wait and see and make up their mind… This is like an invitation to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for me, and I’ve never been more excited in my life than when I got the role.
Eddie Murphy was originally touted for the role, but producer Mark Gordon et. al. decided Wayans was the better choice. He cited the fact that Eddie Murphy is simply Eddie Murphy, while Wayans has a better capacity to do the role justice. I have to say, I agree with him. No one can doubt that Wayans is talented, particularly after Requiem For A Dream and he certainly has enthusiasm for the role.
Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) is writing and directing the flick, produced by Mark Gordon, Chris Rock, and Pryor’s wife Jennifer Lee Pryor.
Would you prefer Murphy or Wayans for this role? Supporting cast ideas?