Whitaker may demand 'The Butler'

WhitakerForest Whitaker and David Oyelowo have been in discussions to star in Lee Daniels' "The Butler," with Whitaker playing the title role and Oyelowo as his boy. In line with the Washington Publish report by Wil Haygood, story follows Eugene Allen, the butler who offered in the Whitened House under eight presidents from 1952 to 1986. As formerly reported, The famous host oprah Winfrey is within early foretells play Allen's wife. Daniels is helming his longtime passion project from the script he composed with Danny Strong. Denzel Washington was initially mounted on star with The new sony disbursing, however the gears never meshed and Washington and The new sony fell off. Pamela Williams will produce through Laura Ziskin Productions together with Hilary Shor. Financing still needs to be arranged, so no deals are positioned with no distributor is within place -- but sources the money ought to be determined shortly having a intend to begin shooting this summer time. The casting plan is comparable to Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln subsequently" pic, having a large number of supporting gamers representing famous figures while Whitaker, Oyelow and Winfrey make the most screentime. Whitaker has remained very busy recently, with several films already wrapped and waiting for release including Lionsgate's "Last Stand" and "Pawn." Oyelowo has additionally stored working hard since his breakout role in Fox's "Rise from the Planet from the Apes," getting roles in Paramount's "One Shot" and "Lincoln subsequently." He seemed to be lately featured in Fox's "Red-colored Tails" and could be seen next in Daniels' "The Paperboy." Whitaker is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Oyelowo is repped by ICM, Inphenate and Hamilton Hoddell. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com