Forest Whitaker at the ‘Zulu’ Photo Call at Cannes 2013
Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker is said to be in talks to portray Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a forthcoming biopic about the last day of civil rights leader’s life.
Titled Memphis , the “ warts and all ” film will present MLK as a figure worried about his marriage, due to alleged extramarital affairs, and concerned over his legacy due to the emergence of younger rights activists.
The project, to be directed by United 93 ‘s Paul Greengras , will also shadow the FBI agents who wiretapped King over suspected communist sympathies at the time of his death.
Another film by Lee Daniels ( Monster’s Ball / Precious ) is in the works, a conspiracy theory drama titled Orders to Kill , which will tackle the King assassination. The feature will star Hugh Jackman as lawyer Barry Pepper.
Speaking of Daniels and Whitaker, we’ll see the actor in Daniels’ The Butler alongside Oprah Winfrey , Terrance Howard , and Jane Fonda , set to hit theaters on October 18, 2013.
