Los Angeles: Actor Tim Roth, who was recently seen in the role of Monaco`s Prince Rainer III in `Grace of Monaco`, is all set to play Alabama governor George Wallace in in Martin Luther King Jr drama `Selma`.

Wallace favored segregation and his bullying tactics are said to have galvanised Martin Luther King Jr and the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, reportedly.

The Ava DuVernay-directed film for Paramount will see David Oyelowo play the role of King while Tom Wilkinson is in the role of President Lyndon Johnson.

Wallace ignited the protests with his Alabama State Troopers beating up the initial protesters and thus creating a nation wide outrage.

The violence led Johnson to push for the Voting Rights Act, which guaranteed African-Americans the right to vote.

`Selma` is produced by Slumdog Millionaire`s Christian Colson, DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt.---- PTI