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Spike TV's 'Eddie Murphy: One Night Only' - Show

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Entertainment Tonight and Variety have confirmed Eddie Murphy is scheduled to join the cast of Richard Pryor’s upcoming biopic. Murphy, who like Pryor has enjoyed his own success as both a standup comic and actor, is slated to play the role of Pryor’s father, LeRoy “Buck Carter” Pryor. Empire co-producer Lee Daniels is on board to direct, and Daniels teased the news via Instagram Thursday.

The currently untitled portrayal of Richard Pryor will be handled by The Weinstein Company, whom Daniels previously worked with on 2013’s Lee Daniels’ The Butler. The news comes as Empire is enjoying nine consecutive weeks of increased viewership.

Murphy has previously stated how he idolized Pryor, and the two worked together on the 1989 comedy, Harlem Nights. Comedian and actor Mike Epps has been cast as Pryor. You can view Daniels’ Instagram post with Murphy below.

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