EXCLUSIVE: The Oscar-winning actres is reportedly poised to join the cast of IM Global hot seller The Butler, reuniting with director Lee Daniels whose The Paperboy receives its world premiere here on Thursday.

Daniels is preparing for a July shoot on the A-list ensemble starring Forest Whitaker and based on the life of White House butler Eugene Allen, who served eight US Presidents during his tenure.

The Butler has been the US arthouse sensation of the market here and IM Global has fielded multiple offers on territories and licensed rights for France (Metropolitan), Australia (Hopscotch), Japan (CCC), Italy (Videa), Germany (Prokino), Benelux (eOne), Spain (Aurum), Russia and Eastern Europe (EEAP) and Latin America (Sun).

The Butler enjoyed an exceptionally powerful market, which shows that the arthouse market is still very strong for A-level titles with a name filmmaker, powerful screenplay and well-rounded cast,” IM Global chief Stuart Ford said. He declined to comment on the Kidman development, which has been a talking point among buyers.

IM Global is handling international sales on behalf of Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries and Cassian Elwes and CAA are in talks with multiple bidders for North America.

The Butler’s all-star cast includes Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, Terence Howard and Cuba Good Jr. Jane Fonda is also on board to play Nancy Reagan.