Director Lee Daniels has roped in British actor David Oyelowo to play iconic American activist and leader Martin Luther King Jr. for his civil rights movie 'Selma'.

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker is turning his attention to the US civil rights movement of the 1960s to tell the story of the historic marches led by Luther King Jr. in Selma, Atlanta, and rather than casting an American in the role, Daniels has opted for Oyelowo, reports dailyexpress.co.uk.

Oyelowo's main film credits include 'The Last King of Scotland' and 'As You like It'.

Australian star Hugh Jackman has also been roped in to play state governor George Wallace in it.

Despite the top line up, Daniels also admitted earlier this month, he was worried as he hadn't cast any of the film's other actors.

'I feel like I'm caught up a little bit with that. I have to really start casting the movie because we're shooting it soon. The only person I've nailed in for sure is Hugh Jackman. It's all over the place,' he said.