Pass The Popcorn: Lee Daniels Drops Out Of Ill-Fated Richard Pryor Biopic

Just when you thought there'd be no more hurdles on the way to the long-awaited Richard Pryor biopic, the film's director goes and jumps ship before production has even began. According to Deadline, Lee Daniels, whose name was originally attached to the project, has reportedly parted ways with Weinstein Company and the film as a result, leaving the picture without anyone at the helm to steer the vessel, in favor of completing other projects on what is claimed to be a tightly-packed schedule.

According to that same report, the film's full cast -- including Mike Epps as the iconic comedian, Eddie Murphy as Pryor's father, as well as Jennifer Hudson, Oprah Winfrey and Kate Hudson -- remains intact, eying an October production start. One must wonder if the direction shake-up will have any effect on the film itself (likely,) but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. Until then, you can always jump back to Marlon Wayans' gripping audition tape for another Richard Pryor biopic if you're feeling the itch. Or maybe just give Live On Sunset Strip another run. It's never the wrong time to watch this master at work.

h/t Deadline