The tug of war for the starring role of Richard Pryor in his upcoming biopic is now over. And the role goes to…Mike Epps.
During a recent interview, the 44-year-old said that he is slated to start shooting in March and although he is nervous he believes that that role was destined to be his.
“I’m really, really nervous, but it’s a good nervous,” Epps said on The Tom Joyner Morning Show. “I gotta represent the King. It left me, but it came back. I think I was born to play the brother. Our lives have paralleled in so many ways. I think when you’re a real artist, a great artist, most of them had a problem at some point in their lives. I fight demons all the time. I just think alcohol and drug addiction are hereditary sometimes. We can’t fight it.”
After gushing about snagging the desired role as the legendary comedian, the Sparkle star took the time to throw shade at fellow funny man Chris Rock while talking about his directorial debut, Top Five.
“I haven’t seen it. I don’t know why they called it Top Five. There wasn’t one good comedian in the whole movie. I don’t know why they keep giving Chris Rock opportunities. He’s a great standup and a good Meerkat. When do these white people – they’re blind. They keep giving the wrong dude opportunities.”
Other comedians in Top Five include Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, J.B Smoove, Cedric the Entertainer, Sherri Shepherd and Saturday Night Live stars Leslie Wilson and Jay Pharoah.
The Starz series, Survivor’s Remorse, in which Epps stars, will be returning to TV sets in March.