Richard Pryor instead of Cleavon Little plays Sherrif Bart

Mel Brooks wanted Richard Pryor instead of Cleavon Little to play Bart in Blazing Saddles . How would it changed the movie and the careers of everyone involved?
 
It becomes even more awesome, though I don't think there would be much effect, other than Richard Pryor getting famous a bit sooner for more than his comedy records
 
I think that the OTL actor did a very good job with the rôle, and Richard Pryor would certainly have done it differently. I'm not at all sure he'd have been better. Or, that the movie as a whole would have been better, at least.
 
I think that the OTL actor did a very good job with the rôle, and Richard Pryor would certainly have done it differently. I'm not at all sure he'd have been better. Or, that the movie as a whole would have been better, at least.
Agreed. Cleavon Little did a great Job as Sherriff Bart. "Blazing Saddles" is by far my favorite Mel Brooks Movie, so I don't know if Pryor would've made it any better.
 
Agreed. Cleavon Little did a great Job as Sherriff Bart. "Blazing Saddles" is by far my favorite Mel Brooks Movie, so I don't know if Pryor would've made it any better.

I admit that he did a very good job, Pryor might not do any better. I was wondering what everyone else thought.
 
I admit that he did a very good job, Pryor might not do any better. I was wondering what everyone else thought.
I just might have to watch this movie again soon. I've been watching the clips on YouTube since seeing this thread, hilarious.
 
He rode a blazing saddle, he wore a shining star,
His job to offer battle to bad men near and far.
He conquered fear and he conquered hate. He turned dark night into day....
He made that blazing saddle a star to guide the way.
And Cleavon Little was his name.
Star of stage AND screen.
You cannot do better than perfect.
 
You could not possibly make Blazing Saddles in this day and age. Far too many people would be offended. What makes the film work IMO is Brooks doesn't let any body off the hook. It is the only film that I imediately saw a second time. Everybody was laughing so much I missed half of the lines. Now would somebody "go back and get a shitload of dimes"
 
This is a strange "What IF' because it may not be possible to improve on the OTL Cleavon Little performance.
That's true, but only in hindsight.

Of course, it might be possible to improve on Little's performance - and have it detract from the rest of the movie, too.

And, the question is 'what would be the results' - and the answer could well be 'worse'. So, it's not THAT odd a 'what if'.
 
That's true, but only in hindsight.

Of course, it might be possible to improve on Little's performance - and have it detract from the rest of the movie, too.

And, the question is 'what would be the results' - and the answer could well be 'worse'. So, it's not THAT odd a 'what if'.

Exactly, there is nothing saying it had to be better. Little was awesome in the role.
 
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