Murphy to play Pryor in new film

LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Eddie Murphy will play Richard Pryor in a new movie about the late cutting-edge stand-up comic, industry sources say.

Moviehole.net reported Thursday that after starring in a series of box-office comedy flops, Murphy will play the award-winning comedian in a movie based on the book "Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?".

The film, which hasn't been given a title, will reunite Murphy with director Bill Condon, with whom he worked on the set of "Dreamgirls." No studio has been lined up yet, though Moviehole.net said Fox Searchlight is interested.

Murphy and Pryor appeared alongside one another in the 1989 comedy "Harlem Nights."

Pryor, who had multiple sclerosis and died of cardiac arrest in 2005 at age 65, was known for his vulgar language and racial themes. But his insights struck a cord with his audiences and influenced the next generation of comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Whoopi Goldberg, and he won an Emmy, five Grammies and other awards.

He also had a history of drug use, which resulted in his setting himself on fire while free-basing cocaine in 1980. He also was married seven times to five women.