X-Men  star James Marsden will portray President John F. Kennedy in director Lee Daniels' Eugene Allen biopic.

The Butler chronicles Allen's life as the White House manservant to eight American leaders and their families.

Forest Whitaker will play the title role and Oprah Winfrey his wife, while the all-star cast also includes Minka Kelly (Jackie Kennedy), Alan Rickman (Ronald Reagan), Jane Fonda (Nancy Reagan) and Robin Williams (Dwight D. Eisenhower).

Filming is scheduled to start later this month in New Orleans, Louisiana.