Low-key funnyman Mike Epps ("Next Friday," "The Honeymooners") has been tapped to portray legendary comedian Richard Pryor ("Stir Crazy") in an upcoming bio flick, according to Variety. Veteran filmmaker Walter Hill ("The Warriors") will direct the as-yet-untitled film, and he'll be working from a screenplay by Caleb Kane.

After meeting Richard Pryor at a Director's Guild tribute, Mr. Epps had this to say about stepping into the shoes of such an admired comedian: "It's hard to describe what he means to me or any standup comic. You could say he's paid the dues for everything we do up there." Walter Hill and Richard Pryor worked together once before, resulting in the 1985 version of "Brewster's Millions."