The Butler director Lee Daniels is in talks to bring a long-awaited Richard Pryor biopic to fruition on the big screen.

Michael B. Jordan, Damon Wayans and Eddie Murphy are all currently in the running to play the late actor/comedian, who died of a heart attack in 2005, aged 65.

Pryor's widow, Jennifer, is producing the film along with movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The untitled project has been in the works since 2009, with actor Forest Whitaker becoming the last big name attached to help bring Pryor's life story to the big screen. He signed on last March (13) to write the script and also produce the film, although it is not known if he is still linked to the movie.

Adam Sandler and director Bill Condon were previously involved in the project before it was shelved in 2011.