Oprah Winfrey considering a return to the big screen

Oprah Winfrey is reported to be considering a return to acting and is eyeing Lee Daniels’ The Butler for her silver screen comeback.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former talk show host is mulling over an offer to co-star in the Daniels directed story of Eugene Allen, a black butler who worked at the White House from 1952 to 1986 and served eight US Presidents. Based on the 2008 Washington Post story A Butler Well Served by This Election by Wil Haygood, the project is being independently financed.

Winfrey hasn’t starred in a live action film since 1998’s Beloved; her roles since then have solely been voice work for animated pictures such as Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

Other names rumoured to be on the wanted list include Hugh Jackman, Mila Kunis and John Cusack, with Daniels (Precious) apparently lobbying for David Oyelowo to portray the butler Allen. Should Winfrey accept the role, she will play Allen’s wife.

Discuss: Would you like to see the TV queen on the big screen again?