Mike Epps picked to star as Richard Pryor in Lee Daniels biopic, Jeezy enters a plea and Joe Budden is charged with robbery & grand larceny. Get the scoop now.

Mike Epps - photo by Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Mike Epps - photo by Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
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It’s official, Nick Cannon will not get the opportunity to play the legendary Richard Pryor in the upcoming Lee Daniels biopic.  Sunday Daniels broke the news on Twitter by posting a pic of himself, Mike Epps and Oprah Winfrey, who by the way will play Pryor’s grandmother.  I hate it for Nick, because he really wanted this role and to a certain degree looked like he could hold down the role.  As a matter of fact several other stars including Michael B Jordan and Marlon Wayans, reportedly have been in talks to play the comic legend.

At the end of the day, 43-year old Mike Epps proved to be a better fit and I think he was a good choice.  By the way Lee Daniels didn’t choose Mike for the role, Richard Pryor did.  Prior to his death in 2005, the 65-year old and his wife made it known that if they would produce such a film, Epps would be the man.

According to TMZ, Epps reached out to iconic comedians widow Jennifer Pryor before agreeing to take the role and that gesture was well received.  Mrs. Pryor who is going to serve as the movie’s producer told TMZ, "That was very sweet and respectful that he called me first. I am happy that they picked him. He is a real good guy."

That's not all, Epps is scheduled to play Pryor in another film.  Listen to Tha Wire below and get more details.

(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Vh1)
(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Vh1)
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In quick news, yesterday[Tuesday August 27th), Joe Budden turned himself into police in Manhattan.  The 33-year-old rapper has been officially charged with robbery and grand larceny, after his ex-girlfriend accused him of assaulting her and stealing her phone.  Speaking of phones, he is still sending sarcastic tweets to further antagonize authorities.  From jail he notified his followers he had wi-fi and would be out in time to go to the strip club.

(Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
(Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
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As for Young Jeezy, his bail has been set at $1 million and according to reports he’s still in jail.  A spokesperson for the Orange County D.A. told the Associated Press that the rapper plead not guilty to possession of an illegal, military-style AK-47 assault rifle.  As previously reported Jeezy co-headlines the “Under the Influence of Music” tour with Wiz Khalifa. Following a fatal shooting last Friday backstage on the tours stop in Mountain View, Calif., the rappers tour bus was searched two days later on Sunday just before his concert at the Verizon Amphitheatre in Irvine, Calif.

Police discovered the AK along with several other guns on board. Listen to Tha Wire below and find out what else police found.  Plus, get the scoop on when Jeezy's next court date is.

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