Stand-up comic and actor Mike Epps has been confirmed to star in Lee Daniels' upcoming Richard Pryor biopic. The Oscar-nominated director confirmed hiring Epps for the lead role on Twitter when he posted a picture from a script reading of himself with Epps and Oprah Winfrey.

"And we're off..." Daniels tweeted. "Get ready y'all for #richardpryor."

Winfrey is set to play Pryor's grandmother, Marie Carter, and produce the film. Carter and Pryor had a complex relationship after she raised him in the brothel she ran. Daniels directed Winfrey in "The Butler" and she was involved in his other work, "Precious."

Epps supposedly beat out several other well-known actors such as Nick Cannon, Michael B. Jordan and Marlon Wayans for the role.

Cannon was very public about his pursuit of the role, posting Instagram photos of himself with Pryor and going on TMZ Live to discuss his desire to play the late comedian.

Epps also announced his involvement with the movie online by posting a photo of himself kissing the ring of Pryor's widow, saying it was "the blessing." Pryor was known for his raunchy comedy acts and is known as an influential American comic.

Pryor passed away at the age of 65 from a heart attack in 2005, but had also suffered from multiple sclerosis for years before his death.

Both he and his wife Jennifer Lee had chosen Epps to play him in a film they produced. In "Nina," Epps played Pryor and actress Zoe Saldana played title role of Nina Simone. The 2013 film has yet to be released.

Epps has also had roles in "The Hangover" films and "Resident Evil," which is still in pre-production stages.