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LOS ANGELES, March 14 (UPI) -- Eddie Murphy is in talks to play the abusive father of the late comedy legend Richard Pryor in director Lee Daniels' planned biopic. The Hollywood Reporter said it confirmed the negotiations between the 53-year-old Saturday Night Live icon and The Weinstein Co., which is making the movie.
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Mike Epps already has been cast as Pryor, while Murphy, if all goes well, would play his father LeRoy.
In addition to his memorable work on SNL in the 1980s, Murphy is known for his performances in the films Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Trading Places, Boomerang and Dreamgirls. He is also a popular voice actor, having been heard in the animated Shrek franchise, as well as Mulan.
Pryor, one of the most influential standup comedians of the 20th century, died of a heart attack in 2005 at the age of 65.
