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Robin Williams will play Eisenhower, according to report

Robin Williams will reportedly play the president for Lee Daniels' upcoming film 'The Butler.'

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Ava Gerlitz/Universal Studios
Actor Robin Williams has portrayed a president before – at least, a candidate – in the 2006 film 'Man of the Year.'
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

Robin Williams will play former president Dwight D. Eisenhower in the film “The Butler,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Directed by Lee Daniels, "The Butler" will follow Eugene Allen, a real-life figure who waited on eight US presidents, from Truman to Reagan, all of whom will be depicted in the film. "The Last King of Scotland" actor Forest Whitaker will play Allen, with talk show titan Oprah Winfrey reportedly playing Allen’s wife.

Actress Melissa Leo, who won an Oscar for her turn in 2010’s "The Fighter," is said to be playing Mamie Eisenhower, and actor Alan Rickman and Jane Fonda have reportedly signed on to play the Reagans. Other famous names whose names have been attached to the project include Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, and actress Minka Kelly as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

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