Behind the Scenes of 'Selma': How David Oyelowo Recruited Oprah

Last year’s Oscar-winning civil-rights drama Selma took years to get off the ground, and David Oyelowo, who stars as Martin Luther King Jr., was actively involved in making the dream a reality. His budding friendship with a certain media mogul played a key role.

In this exclusive clip above from the upcoming Blu-ray combo pack (available May 5) and digital HD release (out tomorrow), Oprah Winfrey and Oyelowo recall how they came to collaborate on Selma after costarring together in Lee Daniel’s The Butler. Winfrey, who has a small-but-pivotal role as civil rights activist Annie Lee Cooper, is also a producer on the project along with Brad Pitt, director Ava DuVernay, and others.

Related: David Oyelowo on Why Ferguson, Racial Injustice Make 'Selma’ So Relevant Today

Oyelowo remembers calling Winfery and asking her to produce the movie. “She said, 'What does that mean?’” says the actor, laughing. “And she says, 'I’ll do whatever I need to do.”

Selma is also available on demand May 5.