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Precious director Lee Daniels is confirming that he’s cast Hugh Jackman in his Civil Rights film Selma. Robert DeNiro was rumored to be taking on the role of Alabama Governor George Wallace, but Daniels says the only actor confirmed is Jackman.

In October Daniels told Coming Soon:”It’s a moment in time in Martin Luther King and LBJ’s (life) around the signing of the Civil Rights. It’s a snapshot of the march. It’s really Lyndon Johnson’s story. Martin Luther King is a part of it, but it’s really the arc of a man that starts out as a racist who is forced to look at himself in the mirror and then ultimately side with King. It’s really a journey of a white cat and how he sneers at tradition and against George Wallace, against everybody, says, ‘Uh-uh.’”

So Hugh Jackman is playing Lyndon Johnson?! The film’s focus is the contentious relationship between Johnson and Wallace. This should be very interesting not to mention quite the acting challenge for Jackman.Casting a great actor to take on the role of Wallace is clearly crucial.

Anyone have thoughts on this? Sounds like an interesting film which will give Hugh Jackman a chance to do more than growl.