Oprah Winfrey and Paramount Move Forward on MLK Biopic, 'Selma'

It's been a long, tough road for Selma, the Martin Luther King biopic that once had Lee Daniels eying it as his next project. But when he dropped out to focus his energies on The Butler, the film was basically put in limbo, only to be revived last summer when Ava Duvernay (Middle of Nowhere) came aboard rewrite the script and direct. It still didn't have a home or the backing to get made, however that's all changed now with Oprah Winfrey adding her muscle as a producer.

Deadline reports that Winfrey, who was key to Lee Daniels' The Butler both on-screen and off, will produce with Paramount Pictures nearing a deal to distribute Selma domestically.  Back when Daniels was eying it, the film had some pretty big stars circling roles. Hugh Jackman, Lenny Kravitz, Cedric the Entertainer, Liam Neeson, and Robert De Niro were mentioned, with David Oyelowo set to play Dr. King. No word on if he is still involved or if someone new will be sought out.

No word on when filming could begin but they will want to move fast. Paul Greengrass is still trying to put together Memphis, the MLK film that he intends to write and direct. And another untitled biopic, possibly with Jamie Foxx in the lead, recently saw its director Oliver Stone drop out due to creative differences.