Kenya Barris Discusses New Projects: Richard Pryor Biopic, Remake Of ‘Wizard of Oz’ And ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

In 2020, Barris introduced he was directing the biopic on one of the crucial influential comedians of all time, and whereas it stays in growth, Barris did say it is going to be a 10-episode sequence.

“It’s a 10-part limited biographical series that takes a look from cradle to grave,” Barris stated. “From his earliest upbringing — he grew up in a ho house, or a house of ill repute — and became, at one point, the biggest star in the world,” he advised Selection Studio, which Audible introduced on the Sundance Movie Competition.

“It is my baby. I love it. He is my comedy god. A super flawed guy, but who everything, to this day, the comedy that we remember — even including [Dave] Chappelle — is derivative of what he started. That honest, reflecting, observational look at what the world is and the differences between us that actually make us more similar than we are apart. I think telling his story and letting people see things that they didn’t know about him is something that I’m super excited to bring to life,” he added.

And that’s not it. Barris can also be within the strategy of remaking some hit classics however with a little bit little bit of a spin on them. One being the Wizard of Oz. Barris stated the script for the remake is finished, and his model of Dorothy is a lady who lives within the Bottoms, an enormous house complicated in Inglewood, Calif.

“The original ‘Wizard of Oz’ took place during the Great Depression, and it was about self-reliance and what people were going through,” Barris stated. “I think this is the perfect time to switch the characters and talk about what someone imagines their life could be. It’s ultimately a hero’s journey, someone thinks something’s better than where they’re at, and they go and realize that where they’re at is where they should be. I want people to be proud and happy about where they’re from. But I want the world to take a look at it and I hope that will come through.”

As for his third venture, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Barris is working with Paramount to reimage the story round an individual of shade. Barris stated he feels the 1946 movie starring Jimmy Stewart is tailored for somebody of shade.

“I feel like Christmas movies are amazing and I think the idea of taking something that has that long of a history and a tale behind it and putting an amazing piece of talent to tell that story,” Barris stated. “It’s a guy who’s trying to help out his community and things are going to turn around on him. I think that’s the perfect story to tell for a person of color — Black or brown — to get into that because our communities have some issues and someone trying to help that community out. I think that’s the perfect vehicle to tell that story from,” he advised Selection Studio.

“I’m still a believer in IP. I think I get shit for it sometimes but I believe that the idea of some of those great stories – stories are all told again and again and again. So having the opportunity to take some of those IPs and tell them from a different point of a view is a gift that I hopefully keep getting.”