Lee Daniels finds his Martin Luther King Jr. for the civil rights film Selma | Movie News

Lee Daniels finds his Martin Luther King Jr. for the civil rights film Selma
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by: George Merchan Mar. 18, 2010


Seems that the casting for Lee Daniels's civil rights film SELMA is beginning to finally flesh out and make sense. The latest, from THR, is news that playing iconic American Martin Luther King Jr. will be British actor David Oyelowo (RED TAILS, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND).

THR is also confirming that Hugh Jackman (whose involvement we reported on earlier this month) "is on board as a racist sheriff in the tale revolving around the historic marches staged by King in 1965 in Selma, Ala."

There's been some uncertainty regarding Robert De Niro's role in all this. He was originally said to be cast in the role of racist Alabama governor George Wallace, but that got muddled when Daniels said that only Jackman had been confirmed. But Movieline got confirmation directly from Daniels that De Niro has indeed been cast in the film (what that means for Neil Burger's THE DARK FIELDS is anyone's guess).

And The Playlist, earlier this month during the Oscar red carpet interviews, caught rocker Lenny Kravitz confirm to Ryan Seacrest that he would be reuniting with Daniels on the director's next film.

So there. Oyelowo, Jackman, De Niro, and Kravitz are confirmed. Please stop emailing me "but but, this website said..."

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Extra Tidbit: David Oyelowo last year directed the short film BIG GUY - about a guy (presumably big) that hates salads, the gym and daylight - which starred Alfred Molina, Clint Howard, and hottie Kate Mara.

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corran horn
7:33PM on 03/19/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good choice
The resemblence is uncanny, and if he played who I think he played in LAST KING (McAvoy's doctor friend), he'd make a good MLK jr.



As for DeNiro, I'm going with the director. If he says DeNiro is in, that's good enough for me.



Now...who will play LBJ?
The resemblence is uncanny, and if he played who I think he played in LAST KING (McAvoy's doctor friend), he'd make a good MLK jr.



As for DeNiro, I'm going with the director. If he says DeNiro is in, that's good enough for me.



Now...who will play LBJ?
 
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Joel_Kirk
1:49AM on 03/19/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Awesome news...!
Awesome news...!
 
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Thumbs
9:58AM on 03/18/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Double thumbs up for Nigerian actors (this guy and Chiwetel Ejiofor) showing rappers and Beyonce how it's done!
Double thumbs up for Nigerian actors (this guy and Chiwetel Ejiofor) showing rappers and Beyonce how it's done!
 
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Thumbs
9:56AM on 03/18/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Thumbs up for casting an actor with short film directing credits.
Thumbs up for casting an actor with short film directing credits.
 
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RunForrest
9:55AM on 03/18/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Bitchin'
This project really has my attention. I thought Oyelowo was great in Last King of Scotland and this could be the breakout role he needs. It'll also be interesting to see Jackman as the bad guy. Can't wait!
This project really has my attention. I thought Oyelowo was great in Last King of Scotland and this could be the breakout role he needs. It'll also be interesting to see Jackman as the bad guy. Can't wait!