Whitaker: Amin 'king' Of Scots

[DB7]

By Borys Kit

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com



Forest Whitaker will star as Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland," a political drama that Kevin MacDonald is directing for Fox Searchlight. James McAvoy also has been cast to star in the film, which is being produced by Andrea Calderwood of Slate Films along with Lisa Bryer and Charles Steel of Cowboy Films.



Film Four and DNA are co-financing the project.





Set in the 1970s, "Scotland" is based on Giles Foden's award-winning novel that blends history and fiction. It centers on a Scottish doctor who, though a twist of fate, becomes the hand-picked personal physician of the then-new president of Uganda. At first, the doctor is flattered by his new position but soon awakens to Amin's savagery and his own complicity in it.



Amin was a horrific if flamboyant figure in the world of despots. He trained as part of the British army and had an affinity for things Scottish. He liked to wear kilts and famously said he wanted to raise an army to fight for Scottish independence, thus becoming the last king of Scotland.



The project has been in development since 1998.



"There's a lot of stories to be told from Africa," Calderwood said. "It's the one continent which we have not yet tapped into its cinematic potential. I think it's a continent of extremes, and I think there's a whole range of stories that we can tell. Hopefully, they'll all not be about genocide."



Speaking about "Scotland," she added: "It's a really resonant story. It's something that, while set in 1970s Uganda, has a continuing contemporary resonance."



DNA's Andrew MacDonald ("28 Days Later") and Allon Reich are executive producing with Tessa Ross from Film Four.



Principal photography is scheduled to start in June in Uganda and the United Kingdom under cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle ("Millions").



Claudia Lewis, executive vp production at Fox Searchlight and Charlotte Koh, creative executive, will oversee the project for Searchlight.



MacDonald won an Oscar in the documentary category for directing 2000's "One Day in September." The Endeavor-repped helmer also directed the documentary "Touching the Void."



Whitaker will appear in upcoming films "A Little Trip to Heaven," "American Gun," "Jump Shot," and "Mary." He is repped by CAA, Michael Goldman of Power Entertainment and attorney Phil Davis.

[Gibbie]

Amin was a ruthless nutter. His fascination with Scotland always puzzled me?

It will be interesting to see the way they play this one out.



There have been some great people from Uganda. Only wish they would have picked someone of a caliber like Janani Luwum, who was murdered by that "last king of Scotland."



That of my blood which is Scottish - protests!



Gibbie