Forest Whitaker has signed on to produce Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, a biopic centering on the life of late comedian Richard Pryor. The actor will produce alongside the comedian's widow, Jennifer Pryor and his Significant Productions partner Nina Yang Bongiovi.

The actor-producer will oversee the development of a new screenplay, although it isn't known if a writer has been attached yet. Forest Whitaker recently produced the indie hit Fruitvale, which won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Bill Condon was previously attached to direct Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, which had Marlon Wayans poised to play the comedy legend. The project fell apart when Bill Condon signed on to direct The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2. Since Forest Whitaker is developing a whole new screenplay, it seems unlikely they will keep that previous title. No production schedule was given.

Richard Pryor overcame an unconventional childhood, being raised in a brothel, to become a legend with his edgy brand of stand-up comedy that captivated the nation. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the 1974 comedy classic Blazing Saddles and starred in a string of 1980s comedy hits such as Stir Crazy, The Toy, Brewster's Millions, and many more.