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David Oyelowo is Martin Luther King Jr in Selma, De Niro Out?

by Ethan Anderton
March 17, 2010

After adding Lenny Kravitz and confirming Hugh Jackman taking on a role in his civil rights film Selma, THR reports that Oscar nominated director Lee Daniels has finally found his Martin Luther King Jr. in actor David Oyelowo (The Last King of Scotland, Red Tails). King was one of the key characters waiting to be cast in a story that revolves around the historic marches led by MLK in 1965 in Selma, AL. However, it looks like there's a chance that the thought to be confirmed involvement of Robert De Niro may not be official, as a blurb in the trade says: "The part of Alabama Gov. George Wallace remains up for grabs." Wait, really?

You would think that Daniels saying that De Niro would be in the film was official enough, but maybe a deal hasn't been finalized prompting THR not to count their chickens before they're cast (which is a smart move these days). I guess we'll have to wait and see how this turns out and if anymore official word makes its way to the media. We're still waiting to hear who will play Lyndon B. Johnson as well, who plays a very pivotal part in the story, so surely there are more casting confirmations on the way. In the meantime, let's hope that Daniels does land De Niro as Governor Wallace, because that really seems like inspired casting. Thoughts?

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