STEVEN SPIELBERG - SPIELBERG HAS A DREAM TO BRING MLK TO THE SCREEN

SPIELBERG HAS A DREAM TO BRING MLK TO THE SCREEN

Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks are to bring the life story of Martin Luther King Jr to the silver screen, it has been announced.

The estate of the inspirational civil rights leader owns the copyright to his books and speeches - including the iconic "I have a dream" speech - and has never before authorised a biopic of Dr King.

However, Spielberg and DreamWorks CEO and co-chairman Stacey Snider have now realised a longstanding ambition to tell the story of Dr King's life on screen after agreeing a deal with the King Estate, Variety reports.

"We are all honoured that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these defining, historic events," Spielberg said.

"It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr King's life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of."

A clergyman, activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Martin Luther King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4th, 1968, at the age of 39.

No screenwriter or casting decisions have yet been announced for DreamWorks' planned biopic, which Spielberg will produce alongside Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones, who co-produced Barack Obama's inaugural ball.

"In trying to tackle such an ambitious project, the question we had to ask ourselves is, 'Why now?'" remarked the studio's CEO Snider.

"The answer lies in MLK's own words: 'All progress is precarious.' With every step forward, new obstacles emerge and we must never forget that his life and his teachings continue to challenge us every day to stand up to hatred and inequality."