(CNN)The man who stars as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma" seems as divinely appointed to the role as the leader he portrays was to the civil rights movement. David Oyelowo said it was seven years ago when he read the script for the film about the marches in the Alabama city and the fight to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He so felt God telling him the role of King was meant for him that he wrote the date down to remember it. But it was a long road for the British actor who was faced with everything from being little known beyond small parts in films like "The Last King of Scotland" to those connected to the film having a different vision for who should star. Yet Oyelowo never lost faith. He told CNN that he took  the challenge of playing one of history's giants very seriously.
@highlight
The British actor is winning raves for his performance
@highlight
He has a spiritual connection to the role
@highlight
Oprah Winfrey calls the project "divine timing"
@placeholder served as one of the producers on the film and has a small role.