Samuel L. Jackson To Play MLK In New Broadway Play

Add Samuel L. Jackson to the list of Hollywood actors drawn to the bright lights of Broadway: the "Iron Man 2" star is in New York this week for a reading of new play about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader. Entitled “The Mountaintop,” the play was produced last year in London and is slated to open this fall.

Does Samuel L. Jackson have what it takes to embody MLK?

Let's examine some obstacles: King died at the age of 39 and Jackson is 61. Shouldn't there be a slight resemblance? Also, we're honestly having a hard time envisioning Jackson for the role. Blame "Pulp Fiction" or "Snakes on a Plane," but aside from his stoic performance as "Star Wars" leader Mace Windu, Jackson's strongest roles have been as the bad ass in action films.

We have more on Samuel L. Jackson's new play, after the jump!

Here's a description of the project, provided by the New York Post:

Set in Kings Memphis hotel room the day before he was assassinated, “The Mountaintop” sets up an imaginary exchange between King and a Chambermaid.

King arrives in the room, exhausted after delivering his famous “I've been to the mountaintop” speech. He orders a cup of coffee, and when the maid arrives, he flirts with her. But as the evening wears on, he realizes she no ordinary hotel worker, and the play shifts from the realistic to the heavenly.

Although Jackson is being offered $50K a week to play the role, his personal connection to the story may be his muse. Jackson served as an usher at the late Kings funeral in 1968.

Despite our casting concerns, “The Mountaintop” definitely has our attention; a “flirty” Dr. King does make for an interesting — if unconventional — twist.

If you're not a theater buff but want more of Jackson, check him out in "Iron Man 2," in theaters now!

Source: [New York Post]

Tags Broadway, Martin Luther King Jr., play, Samuel L. Jackson