Marlon Wayans may be known as one of Hollywood’s funniest actors, but his serious acting chops are being looked at in a whole new light thanks to a now-viral clip. However, it’s sparking mixed reactions online. Let’s get into it!
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The clip is allegedly a leaked screen test that Wayans did some years ago when he was auditioning for the lead role in an upcoming biopic about the late comedy icon Richard Pryor. The project has reportedly been in limbo for years with different directors and actors being asked to take part in it. In fact, if you’ll remember, during his interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast in April, Marlon’s own big brother Damon revealed that he was the one who was originally tapped to play Pryor in the film. The late comedian allegedly hand-selected him and Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese was going to direct.
Unfortunately somewhere along the lines, the actors in talks changed with picks going from Damon, to fellow comedians Eddie Murphy and Mike Epps, to now Marlon. However Murphy, Epps, and Marlon were all reportedly being looked at for the lead of Pryor for a different biopic set to be produced by Adam Sandler and Chris Rock in 2009.
Fast forward to 2025 though and it’s Marlon’s audition as Pryor that’s got the internet talking, with many feeling like he’s got exactly what it takes to bring the late comedic legend back to life again.
“If you saw him in Requiem for a Dream you’d know that serious acting is actually his strongest asset,” wrote one user.
“Please put some out some respect on him and drama. He clears it,” said another.
“Marlon made it clear even in early episodes of The Wayans Bros how much he wanted to be respected as a serious actor if you paid attention,” one other user noted.
However, there were some who still weren’t all that impressed and thought Marlon needed a little bit of work.
“He def did a good job…. But unlike Jamie in Ray, Denzel in Malcolm X… it doesn’t feel like I’m watchin Richard… it like I’m watchin Marlon do a good impression of Richard,” one user wrote.
“He’s definitely the best actor of the family. But for this Mike Epps is the guy. I’d be interested in seeing his drama chops too,” said another.
“We need to see all the screen tests for the Richard Pryor biopic (if they exist). Marlon Wayans is good here, but I saw Mike Epps imitate Richard Pryor on his Instagram page and it was spot-on,” said another.
Whether you feel like he’s the best pick as Pryor or not, Marlon will be getting into his serious acting bag anyway in the upcoming psychological thriller, “Him,” produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Justin Tipping. And as far as the Pryor biopic is concerned, per an interview with Variety in January 2024, “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris is now at the helm of at least one version of it, which is set to be released as a forthcoming 10 episode limited series.
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