Forest Whitaker as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

Forest Whitaker as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?


He once played a role of an evil man in the film, The Last King of Scotland, while portraying Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. This was an Oscar-winning role for Forest Whitaker. Now, he may be set to portray another world-known figure, but this time, a man of peace in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

According to a report in The Guardian, actor Forest Whitaker is currently in talks to play the iconic civil rights leader in a film, titled Memphis. It will focus on the final days of King’s life.

British director, Paul Greengras, who shot United 93, which focused on the 9/11 tragedy, will purportedly film Memphis in a similar docu-drama style. This movie project is different from the one the King family have in the works.

Greengrass’s film will also shadow the FBI agents who wiretapped King over suspected communist sympathies at the time of his death.

Another film, which will try to tackle the King assassination, Orders to Kill, is also reported to be in the works and is a conspiracy theory drama with Hugh Jackman as lawyer Barry Pepper and Lee Daniels is directing that project.


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