Woody Harrelson to star in director Rob Reiner's 'LBJ' political drama

Former Cheers and True Detective star Woody Harrelson is to play Lyndon B. Johnson in director Rob Reiner's big-screen drama LBJ.

The script by Joey Hartstone focuses on "the political upheaval that Vice President Johnson faced when he was thrust into the presidency at the hands of an assassin's bullet in November 1963," a synopsis said. "With political battles on both sides of the aisle, Johnson struggles to heal a nation and secure his presidency by passing Kennedy's historic Civil Rights Act."

The film is being produced by Acacia Entertainment, Savvy Media Holdings, Castle Rock Entertainment, and Star Thrower Entertainment.

Production is slated to begin in September in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Dallas and Washington.

"During the 1960s, I was a hippy and Lyndon Johnson was my president," Reiner said in a statement Wednesday.

"At the time, LBJ was the target of most of my generation's anti-Vietnam-War anger. But as time has passed and my understanding of political realities has grown; I've come to see LBJ in a very different light," the filmmaker explained. "He was a complex man; a combination of brilliant political instinct, raw strength, ambition, and deep insecurities. The strength and power of persuasion that he showed to his colleagues existed alongside of a soft, almost childlike quality that perhaps only Lady Bird got to see. His life's path was nothing short of Shakespearean. From the poor hill country of West Texas to the corridors of power in Washington, he used his brilliant political acumen to pass the most groundbreaking civil rights legislation of the 20th century. And had it not been for the Vietnam War, I believe he would have gone down as one of America's greatest presidents."

"We're very excited about this project and see its central message of overcoming the odds and personal redemption as having universal appeal," added producer Matthew George. "We're all very much looking forward to working with two incredible artists, Reiner and Harrelson, and the rest of the team on this amazing project."

Reiner's directorial credits include This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and The American President. As an actor, he co-starred in the sitcom All in the Family