The Ava DuVernay-directed project stars David Oyelowo as the civil rights icon, Oprah Winfrey as Annie Lee Cooper (the civil rights protester who tried to register to vote but was denied), reported Variety.
Cuba Gooding Jr has been cast as King's attorney and fellow activist Fred Gray, and Tim Roth will play Alabama governor and racial segregation supporter George Wallace.
Winfrey said that the late Maya Angelou - who worked with King - gave the Paramount Pictures film her blessing before she passed away.