Richard Pryor's Kids: 'Nick Cannon Can't Play Our Dad'
Adding to the rapidly growing list of celebrity biopics is legendary comic Richard Pryor, rumored to be played by actor/comedian Nick Cannon. While the Drumline actor seems to believe that he has the role on lock, Pryor's kids think otherwise, claiming that the role should go to White Chicks front man Marlon Wayans.
According to TMZ, Richard Pryor Jr. and Rain Pryor believe that Wayans "understands their dad's psyche and can connect with the character in a compelling way."
In regards to Mariah Carey's better half, they do not think he is capable of pulling off the complexity of the role, deeming his limited acting experience a detriment to the project's success.
Cannon said on a segment of "TMZ Live" that he has been meeting with The Butler director Lee Daniels about the project and has been going to all lengths to prepare for the film, including growing out his hair and taking up smoking.
Though the casting remains a conflict for Pryor's kids, the overarching problem lies in their stepmother's involvement. They tell TMZ that the film dishonors their father because it has become a "vanity project" for their stepmother, Jennifer Pryor, who they believe will distort the comedian's life to "make her look good."
Adding more fuel to the fire, the kids are also upset that they have been axed from the project.
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(Photos from left: Ron Galella/WireImage,Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)