It’s funny what an Oscar nomination can do for a guy. Following the Sundance success of, and subsequent awards glory for, “Precious: Based On The Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire,” it seems like the A-list are queuing round the block to work with director Lee Daniels on his next project, the civil rights drama “Selma.” Hugh Jackman was the first cast member to be locked in, in the role of racist sheriff Jim Clark, and was soon joined by Lenny Kravitz as activist Andrew Young and, last week, excellent British actor David Oyelowo (“The Last King of Scotland”) as Martin Luther King.
Now, Daniels tells MTV that Liam Neeson and Cedric the Entertainer have joined the increasingly starry cast. Neeson will take on the key role of President Lyndon Johnson, while Cedric the Entertainer will play minister and activist Ralph Abernathy, King’s best friend and right hand man. However, Daniels suggests that Robert De Niro who was previously confirmed as playing Alabama governor George Wallace, may now be out of the picture, saying “Wallace is not [cast], but [an offer is] out. We’re waiting for a deal to close.” While it’s possible that this offer is to De Niro (even though he seemed like a dead certainty) we’re guessing his shoot for “Dark Fields,” which along with “Selma” is scheduled to shoot in May, is causing a conflict leading Daniels to recast the part.
Aside from Wallace, there’s one more key role to cast, that of Wilson Baker, who replaced Clark as sheriff of Dallas County in 1966, but with the start date looming, we imagine we’ll hear more shortly. It’s certainly a strong cast, although Neeson isn’t an obvious choice for LBJ. Daniels proved with “Precious” that he’s a very good director of actors, even if he doesn’t have as sure a hand with other aspects of filmmaking. There were reports that the film might be facing some financing problems, but as casting seems to be getting locked in, we’re sure those issues have evaporated.
The other question is whether the actor taking a presidential role here will affect the long-delayed Steven Spielberg/Tony Kushner “Lincoln” project that the actor has long been attached. With “Lincoln” now looking to be still a couple of years away at the earliest, it’s not impossible that he’d play both parts (if Chris Evans can play two superheroes, then surely Neeson can play two presidents?).
