British actor David Oyelowo has been doing good work in smaller roles, but perhaps got noticed by many for playing the bad guy in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the CEO of the pharmaceutical company that orders continued testing of an Alzheimer’s drug on apes despite its dangerous side effects.
But the 38-year-old may be ready for his breakout and is sure to earn major awards consideration for his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the upcoming Selma. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film depicts the events leading up to the historic march of 1965 from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. for black voting rights. Here is the first official trailer for the film.
Oyelowo looks as if he’s playing the role of his career thus far, even putting on a noticeable amount of weight to portray King. The movie’s cast includes Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Tim Roth as Alabama governor George Wallace, along with Cuba Gooding Jr., Wendell Pierce, Giovanni Ribisi and Oprah Winfrey.
Selma is scheduled for a Jan. 9, 2015 release nationally, but will open in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day to be eligible for Academy Awards consideration.
