Forest Whitaker will star as Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland," a political drama that Kevin MacDonald is directing for Fox Searchlight says The Hollywood Reporter. James McAvoy also has been cast to star in the film, which Film Four and DNA are co-financing.

Set in the 1970s, "Scotland" is based on Giles Foden's award-winning novel that blends history and fiction. It centers on a Scottish doctor who, though a twist of fate, becomes the hand-picked personal physician of the then-new president of Uganda. At first, the doctor is flattered by his new position but soon awakens to Amin's savagery and his own complicity in it.

Amin was a horrific if flamboyant figure in the world of despots. He trained as part of the British army and had an affinity for things Scottish. He liked to wear kilts and famously said he wanted to raise an army to fight for Scottish independence, thus becoming the last king of Scotland. The project has been in development since 1998.

Thanks to 'Heil'