MUMBAI: Playwright and Academy Award winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood will write the screenplay for DreamWorks Studios’ Martin Luther King, Jr. bio-pic.

DreamWorks Studios co-presidents of production Mark Sourian and Holly Bario announced today. Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce the film about the renowned civil rights leader.

The DreamWorks film will be the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King to create the definitive portrait of his life.  Dr. King copyrighted his speeches, books, and famous works during his lifetime.

"It is so gratifying for all of us at DreamWorks Studios to have a writer as respected and honored as Ronald Harwood to write the screenplay for our Martin Luther King film. His record of achievements makes him particularly suited to portraying this deeply personal story against the background of such a turbulent time," said Mark Sourian and Holly Bario.

Harwood says of his approach to Dr. King’s life and impact, "I will not say anything about my approach to this screenplay except to say what I always say: ‘I will do my utmost to be true to truth.’"