Mike Epps Talks About Losing the Richard Pryor Role “I Got A Lot on my Plate Anyway.”

Posted on October 20th, 2009 - By Bossip Staff

Categories: News, Rumor Control, Wendy Williams

Mike Epps was one of the few celebrities not afraid to hit up Wendy Williams’ TV show. While there, he talked about losing the Richard Pryor role to Marlon Wayans.

When asked, Mike Epps told Wendy he didn’t get in the business to play anyone else but himself, he’s blessed, and he has a lot of other things on his plate. It was obvious to us that he was hurt by the loss. Check back for the video later, there’s not enough hours in the day to keep up with these people.

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COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

OneStep 10/20/09, 01:52:PM

He would make a better Pryor than Marlon
jynX 10/20/09, 01:57:PM

I was looking forward to seeing Mike Epps portray Richard Pryor. damn.
resurrected 10/20/09, 01:59:PM

I like Mike Epps I really do but sometimes he does not know when to have cooth… He sometimes speaks at the wrong moment trying to be funny and maybe the role went to the better man in the end..
drenk 10/20/09, 02:00:PM

yea i dont like marlon wayans as pryor
Rihanna's sharp n pointy witchy fingernails took the oath 10/20/09, 02:02:PM

No one should play Richard Pryor. We know who Richard is, damn. If we want Pryor, we can buy thr dvds. This is going to be a DISASTER!
2Blessed2Stress 10/20/09, 02:04:PM

I have always enjoyed watching Mike Epps. But, I hope that he said something much more intelligent than that. For him to say he’s not in the business to play anyone else? What do you think acting is, portraying characters. Duh! And as far as playing Richard Pryor any successful African American comedian wouldn’t be where they are today if Richard Pryor hadn’t paved the way. So it’s obvious he’s salty about losing the part. Just keep it real!
ME 10/20/09, 02:05:PM

Beautiful Conquer! Now THAT’S the best move.
RT 10/20/09, 02:05:PM

Mike ain’t neva been funny; had to look past him in Next Friday. Marlon will do a great job.
Hmmm... 10/20/09, 02:07:PM

I would’ve been hurt too.
But Mike Epps Isn’t That Funny.
His Stand Up Shows Are Terrible, He Is Not That Funny To Me.
In Some Movies He Has A Few Funny Lines Though.
elektrikeccentrik 10/20/09, 02:08:PM

yea yea mike that’s what all salty nigga say lol.
marlon you better not fuck this up
Caramel Cat 10/20/09, 02:10:PM

I have a feeling Marlon is going to kill this role! I heard he did a phenomenal job with the audition, so these producers know they made a better choice. Mike Epps has his funny moments but honestly his comedy is slightly forced and over the top. I wonder if he has a rebuttal to Richard Pryor’s wife’s little internet rant last week…
ME 10/20/09, 02:10:PM

He didnt get in the business only to play Pryor. Thats what he meant by the comment! 2Blessed! He is a better Mike Epps than he could ever be Richard Pryor. Of course, he’s disappointed, why wouldnt he be-its a great opportunity…but grace is accepting the situation for what it is and moving on–And Acting is portraying someone else(different characters) but there are more roles in store for Epps than just the Pryor role. GOT IT! I think he handled Beautifully!
Aunt Viv 10/20/09, 02:12:PM

Mike will get over it. But Marlon better do Pryor justice…
Alrighty Then... 10/20/09, 02:16:PM

Don’t you know I didn’t even know Pryor was dead till 2 weeks ago?!?!?
I hope Marlon brings justice to the role… some folks have said he’s actually got some serious acting chops (‘Requiem to a Dream’ or something like that? I haven’t seen it). I just look at him and see White Girls/Don’t be a menace while drinking your juice, etc. Typical Wayans bullshit. I hope he pulls a Jamie Foxx in Ray and just wows everyone…
2dimplzs 10/20/09, 02:23:PM

Marlon Wayans? Seriously????? Mike Epps would have been the PERFECT Richard Pryor because he got that same don’t care mentalness kind of comedy (if that even make sense to yall!) I saw his latest special on Showtime a few weeks ago and he had me and my husband in TEARS he is so retarded!!! Love Mike Epps…keep your head up boo, better things will come your way. This movie will flop for the simple fact that Marlon Wayans CAN’T ACT and he’s NOT FUNNY!!!!
resurrected 10/20/09, 02:25:PM

Alrighty Then…

I asked someone at my job the same things if he did die I do not remember it being blasted in TV like everyone elses death…
resurrected 10/20/09, 02:26:PM

2dimplzs

A true actor can play any role that is why it is called acting… Now I have seen Mike play in movies like Resident Evil and he did ok in the movie but for some reason I think that Marlon is going to do it more justice but we shall see..
noelle 10/20/09, 02:42:PM

aW, HE LOST?
HoneySuckleGirl (KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS...LOL) 10/20/09, 02:42:PM

@ resurected and alrighty then

I didn’t realize that either until a few weeks back. Can’t wait to see the movie though,
Alrighty Then... 10/20/09, 03:06:PM

@resurrected and HoneySuckleGirl (KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS…LOL) -

They certainly didn’t blast it all over the place like a typical celebrity death, either that, or I had some serious shit goin’ on in my life at the time and totally missed it!
lean (Breaking the Monotony) 10/20/09, 03:20:PM

Bossip finds the funniest pix to post!!! LOL!
Damn D 10/20/09, 03:35:PM

@ OneStep

He would make a better Pryor than Marlon
—————-

I totally agree…
Foolio 10/20/09, 03:37:PM

Mike Epps is unfunny. period.
Octavia 10/20/09, 03:44:PM

None of the Wayans are even remotely funny.
This some Shhh.... 10/20/09, 03:46:PM

He handled it smoothly. This has been in the works for some time. I think Mike Epps spent a lot of time with Pryor before his death. There was talk before of Jamie Foxx replacing Epps in this movie, but they decided to go with Marlon. Richard Pryor already did a story on his life. It’s called,”JoJo Dancer – Your life is calling”. Got it on VHS.
1man2people 10/20/09, 03:58:PM

honestly he just looks like Pryor more … that’s it & Eddie Murphy had the role not him he was just rumored & got beat out by the better actor
This some Shhh.... 10/20/09, 04:03:PM

@ 1man2people

You right peoples, that was Eddie Murphey and not Jamie Foxx.
TELLTHEM 10/20/09, 04:11:PM

HE,S A UNDERCOVER FAG.
HE LIKES BOYS
Lnana 10/20/09, 04:14:PM

He is not funny to me
BLACK-A-RIFICK 10/20/09, 04:32:PM

THIS IS GOING TO SUCK MIKE EPPS IS NOT NATURALLY FUNNY MARLON IS A GOOF BALL RICH IS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD LIKE AWW HELL NAW
Wes 10/20/09, 04:34:PM

Man this is where everyone that isn’t being “heard” can be. Lets all be happy that they are doing the movie altogether. Wether you like Mike Epps or Hate Marlon Wayans. Marlon has the role, aside from that are you going to see Marlon or are you going to see Richard? Might be over yall heads. But think it through.
H2O ***THE WATER BOY*** 10/20/09, 04:45:PM

neither one of them are funny to me, AND DIDN’T “JO JO DANCE YOUR LIFE IS CALLING” cover the RICHARD PRYOR story..I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD MOVIE. I’ll bet they can’t top it..
First Timer 10/20/09, 04:49:PM

Neither of these guys are funny. But Marlon is a better actor of the two. Requiem for a Dream was a good movie that showed Marlon’s acting ability.
This some Shhh.... 10/20/09, 04:54:PM

@ H2O ***THE WATER BOY***

Yep, Jo Jo Dancer Your Life is Calling. Richard Pryor played himself. They need to re-release that shit on DVD.
SiDeWayZ 10/20/09, 05:06:PM

Looking forward to the movie. That’s jacked up how they did my boi Mike tho……..
Redbone_Darkbutt_Black_White (It's just coochie) 10/20/09, 06:13:PM

Everybody knows that the BEST comedians have a certain “dark demon” that sits beside him or her on that stage —- comedy, the BEST comedy, doesn’t come from some damn happy place.

None of the damn Wayans appear to me to have the kind of DEPTH to play Prior — certainly NOT the one chosen for the role.

It will be like Dustin Hoffman playing Lennie Bruce — Al Pacino (an italian) would have made a much more believable angry Jewish comic than the “nice jewish guy” Dustin Hoffman.
oooooooh! 10/20/09, 06:42:PM

He would have been a way better choice than Marlon. I can’t believe they did him like that.
MS. SIPPI 10/20/09, 08:55:PM

Ha.. Ha.. Dae Dae..
Its6amHoGetOut Resident Genius 10/20/09, 09:46:PM

Anyone other than me notice that Mike Epps aint funny? I knew that as soon as i saw Friday part 2.

from a young chris tucker to mike epps? no thank you.
whozoer 10/20/09, 09:56:PM

Yeah, he could have gotten him good. I can’t see the Marlon thing, but maybe Marlon is good.
UPDOWN 10/20/09, 10:24:PM

I think Mike is more silly than he is a good actor. His acting skills are really not that good, he needs to get better roles, because he’s really a modern day sambo.I wouldn’t pay a penny to see him do anything.
Ummm...NO! 10/20/09, 10:37:PM

Look wise, Mike Epps would be better for sure. He looks more like him. But who knows what happened behind the scenes for Marlon to get it. Marlon, just don’t mess this up…
PhillyinDubai 10/21/09, 02:11:AM

No one currently out there can play Richard Pryor.
This actor has to be like Pryor himself.
One in a Million!!
i know the truth 10/21/09, 06:58:AM

who the fukk cares? u ni66ers r soo damn dumb
HANNIBALS PIMP AKA MR.BACKHAND 10/21/09, 07:31:AM

EPPS BEEN GARBAGE SINCE FRIDAY HIS DVD’S ARE COOOORNY.I DON’T SEE HOW HE GETS GIGS.
Never Take S!des 10/21/09, 08:31:AM

Marlon will bring a bigger crowd then Epps, He’s killing his career doing low budget movies. All Marlon movies where big smashes so far, Scary Movie, Lil Man, even G.I Joe. Friday after next made people want more of Epps but he didnt pull it off with those ametuer standups.Think Big Epps, youve been doing it to long not to shine.
lawd da mercy 10/21/09, 08:48:AM

Mike Epps does have a great career and he is fine as he wanna be.((I ain’t hatin’ on Marlon either though)) Racist people always wanna come on bossip and start some ish…go fuck your cousin!
Jazmine 10/21/09, 09:03:AM

Mike Epps is my honey love but he’s full of shyt right here. I specifically remember him saying that he couldn’t wait to play Richard and that Richard had specifically asked him to play him in the movie. He was ecstatic about it and Mike Epps would have been a da** good Richard Pryor. Mike has experience with drugs and pain just like Rich….he’s funny just like Rich and would have done a much better job than a da** Marlon Wayans. I kind of take that back….I think Marlon will do well but I think audience’s could relate more to Mike and he would have been just a little better than Marlon. I just think Mike is hurt by the loss so he’s trying to play hard. He actually comes across as sounding stupid though. Does he not know the heights Ray took Jaime Foxx’s career to????? He better slow it on down running off at the mouth like that. Trust me, Hollywood is listening, them hoes watch Wendy Williams too.
Jazmine 10/21/09, 09:06:AM

SIDEBAR:

Am I the only one amazed at how Wendy Williams is the only person that can get you to come on her show (radio or tv) and get you to tell off on yourself?!? First the chris Rock and Nia Long thing now this. I’m sure it’s been some other shyt I’ve missed along the way too. Say what you want about Wendy’s mannish looks but the bytch has the gift of gab baby!
jweb 10/21/09, 09:08:AM

Mike Epps would have been great in that role. He looks kind of like him, he can contort his face like Richard, and he has the whole ex-drug addict thing that Richard had. I don’t know if Marlon can pull that off without being overly silly. Richard was funny, but led a troubled life. I think that role would have put Mike Epps in the main stream. Guess it wasn’t meant.