The legendary comedian has been rumored to have a biopic over the years and Mike Epps’ name has been bandied about as starring in it. Word even got so far that production had started, but it never came to fruition. The role of the comedic genius was also rumored to go to Nick Cannon as well.

Mike Epps was really pushing for the acting gig. r. “I believe I can win a Oscar for the culture if I had the chance smh believers vs nonbelievers #richardpryor they sleepin on us y’all,” the actor wrote in the caption. Then, he called on Coming To America (2020) filmmaker Kenya Barris for a little help. “@kenyabarris we need this for the people.”

 

At least for now he will get his wish in playing Richard Pryor in the new HBO series Winning Time about the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It’s one thing to compete but its another to be compared!!!!” wrote Epss. “Here I played the long awaited role of the GOAT  Richard Pryor in the the @winningtimehbo series it’s never easy to fill the shoes of our greats but iam humbled and honored to have gotten this opportunity s/o to my man @therodneybarnes for believing in me check us out March 26th on @hbo #riprichardpryor#adammcay.”

When Epps was asked about the potential Richard Pryor biopic back in 2019, he told reporters, “I love the king Richard Pryor but it’s just one of those films that was hard to make, and I’m having a good time being Mike Epps right now. I’m somebody’s Richard Pryor.”

Check out the trailer below for “Winning Time.” The series premieres March 6 on @HBOMax.  From Adam McKay, director of ‘The Big Short’ and ‘Vice’ comes a story about the rise of basketball Hall Of Famer Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and the lengths one man (John C. Reilly) will go in pursuit of securing a basketball dynasty.