Martin Sheen to reprise presidential role in Obama bio-pic

Actor Martin Sheen, who has played the U.S. President several times, including on the hit TV series ‘The West Wing’ as well as in ‘The Dead Zone’ and ‘Kennedy – the Presidential years’, is to return to the on-screen Oval Office in a new bio-pic about Barack Obama.

Detailing the current President’s early life, his time as a community organiser in Chicago, all the way up to his historic election victory in November 2008, ‘Obama: The Movie’ will start shooting in September, with scheduled release some time in early 2011.

“I’m delighted to be the President again,” said Sheen, who faces criticism that he is ‘an unsuitable choice’ for the role.

At an LA press conference announcing the project, Sheen defended the casting. “I know what people are saying – aren’t you too old to play Obama? And you know what I say? If I’m too old, then why did the people elect me?”