It's official: Mike Epps to play Richard Pryor in Lee Daniels' biopic

Lee Daniels' biopic on Richard Pryor will star actor and stand-up star Mike Epps in the lead role, it has been revealed.

The Academy Award nominated director confirmed the news on Twitter where he posted a picture of himself with Epps and Oprah Winfrey at a script reading session, the BBC reported.

Winfrey will portray the role of Pryor's grandmother.

Epps, who has acted in movies like 'The Hangover' and 'Resident Evil', also posted a photo of himself kissing the ring of Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee, for "the blessing".