Oprah Winfrey to Co-Produce MLK Drama 'Selma'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19 (UPI)–Oprah Winfrey is joining the crew of the Martin Luther King Jr. Drama, “Selma,” as a producer, director Ava DuVernay said.

Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner are already on board as producers as part of their Plan B production company, which was also behind “12 Years a Slave,” the Hollywood Reporter said.

Christian Coulson, who won an Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire,” and Cameron McKracken are also producing the film.

“Selma” focuses on the attempts of black marchers to walk from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 in order to gain voting rights.

David Oyelowo will play Martin Luther King Jr., Reporter said.

Oprah, who played Oyelowo’s mother in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” is becoming involved in the film industry after a long absence.

“It’s a subject matter close to her heart,” said DuVernay. “The producers are behind some of the most forward-thinking movies of last year and they are all coming together.”