Anthony Mackie to play Johnnie Cochran in police brutality drama

Anthony Mackie will star as attorney Johnnie Cochran in an untitled film based on the 1981 Signal Hill police brutality case, sources confirmed to Variety.

Robbie Brenner, The Firm's president of film, will produce along with Mackie and Jason Spire. Jeff Kwatinetz will be exec producer, along with McMillan. David McMillan penned the script.

Based on real life events, the story follows Cochran as he takes on a police brutality case in 1981 in which a young college student died under suspicious circumstances in police custody. Cochran persuaded the family to do an autopsy after suspecting foul play, leading to one of the more highly publicized cases involving police brutality.

Mackie's star power is on the verge of hitting new heights this month with two high-profile projects set to bow. He will first reprise his role as Falcon in "Captain America: Civil War," followed by a starring role in the HBO movie "All the Way," where he portrays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mackie is also attached to star in the Paramount pic "Make a Wish." He is repped by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.

This marks The Firm's second project that has added a big name in the last two weeks. Daisy Ridley will star in the company's adaptation of "The Lost Wife."

Deadline Hollywood first broke the news.

PHOTOS: Check out Anthony Mackie through the years