Taking on the role played by John Candy in the 1989 John Hughes movie, with Nia Long also joining the pilot.

ABC is moving forward with its all African-American Uncle Buck comedy.

The network has tapped Mike Epps to take on the role played by John Candy in the 1989 feature of the same name, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

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Based on John Hughes' movie about a childish man who learns how to be an adult by taking care of his brother's kids in a very childish way, Epps will star as Buck Russell, the lovable dreamer and Will's older brother who essentially raised him as a child.

Nia Long will co-star as Will's wife Alexis, the founder of her own nonprofit that mentors at-risk girls.

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his case, Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley are attached to write and executive produce ABC's Uncle Buck alongside Will Packer via his prolific Will Packer Productions banner. The single-camera comedy hails from ABC Studios, Universal Television and Packer's banner. Phil Traill will direct.

Epps' credits include Starz's Survivor's Remorse as well as The Hangover and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. He's repped by CAA, Industry Entertainment and Morris Yorn.

Long, repped by Intellectual Artists Management and Stone Meyer, counts The Best Man Wedding, Single Moms Club and TV's The Divide and House of Lies among her credits.

ABC's Uncle Buck becomes the latest pilot this season to turn to diverse leads as broadcast networks look to better represent society — and lure viewers.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com

Twitter: @Snoodit