Kenya Barris offered a glimpse into his major projects at the Sundance Film Festival’s Variety Studio, presented by Audible. While specific timelines were not disclosed, Barris provided significant updates on his Richard Pryor biopic, Wizard of Oz remake, and It’s a Wonderful Life remake.
The Richard Pryor biopic, initially envisioned as a movie, has evolved into a 10-part limited biographical series. Barris, deeply passionate about Pryor’s comedic legacy, emphasized the series’s comprehensive exploration of Pryor’s life “from cradle to grave.” He spoke affectionately about Pryor, referring to him as his “comedy god” and expressing eagerness to bring forth lesser-known facets of Pryor’s life. “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.”
Barris shared that the script for his Wizard of Oz remake is complete. Set in California, Dorothy’s new home is in the Bottoms, a sprawling apartment complex in Inglewood. California. Barris explained the shift in setting as an opportunity to present a fresh perspective on self-discovery and the hero’s journey, stating, “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.”
Paramount has entrusted Barris with remaking It’s a Wonderful Life, with a central focus on a person of color. Barris sees the narrative as perfectly suited for addressing community issues and positive change, stating, “I think that’s the perfect vehicle to tell that story from.”
While Barris has faced criticism for taking on the challenge of remaking iconic films, he defended his approach, stating, “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.” He sees the opportunity to provide a fresh perspective on well-known IPs as a valuable gift.
Watch his full interview HERE.