Samuel Jackson has been cast as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Broadway production of the play “The Mountaintop,” a dramatic exploration of the Nobel Prize-winning civil rights leader’s final night before being assassinated.

The production, which opened two years ago in London and won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Play, will open in October in New York. Jackson had long been rumored to star; rumored co-star Halle Berry was unable to join due to her ongoing child custody issues with ex Gabriel Aubry.

Samuel L. Jackson Make Broadway Debut Martin Luther King

Samuel L. Jackson will make his Broadway debut as Dr. Martin Luther King in the Broadway production of Katori Hall‘s The Mountaintop.

Samuel L. Jackson: How I Became an Usher at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Funeral (Guest Column) – The Hollywood Reporter
The Mountaintop – which re-imagines events the night before the 1968 assassination of the civil rights leader – is being directed by Tony Award Nominee Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun)

Performances begin Sept. 22 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street), with an official opening taking place Oct. 13.

Tickets will go on sale at a later date.

The Mountaintop is produced by Jean Doumanian Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group, Jerry Frankel, Ted Snowdon, Bob Bartner, and Tom Wirtshafter.