Eddie Murphy to play Richard Pryor in new biopic

London, Feb 28 (ANI): Eddie Murphy will be stepping into the shoes of Richard Pryor for a new biopic, it has emerged.

Apparently the 'Meet Dave' actor has given up his usual fee of 25 million dollars to take on the role of his idol.

Oscar-winning writer Bill Condon is reportedly involved in the project, reports The Sun.

Richard, who starred in See No Evil, Hear No Evil, battled drug addiction before suffering a fatal heart attack in 2005. He was 65.

He infamously set himself on fire in 1980 following a cocaine and booze binge.

The comedian later used the tale into his stand-up routine by waving a lit match and saying: "What's this? It's Richard Pryor running down the street."(ANI)