By Joseph Akahome
Fast rising British actor Idris Elba has been confirmed to take on the role of South African icon and freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela in his autobiography ‘The Long Walk to Freedom‘.
The film project will chronicle most part of Mandela’s life, including his imprisonment in the infamous Robben Island, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
The former DJ expressed excitement over the development in an interview with an American news site.
‘My big project this year, I’m going to go play Nelson Mandela. That’s where my head is geared to this summer‘.
Confirming the development, Anant Singh, a South African/Indian filmmaker who acquired the life rights to produce the project from Mandela said in a statement ‘It has taken many years to find the right actor, however Idris is perfectly cast to play Nelson Mandela – he has the passion, the star power, the African upbringing and, of course, the height‘.
The 39-year-old, who is a recipient of a Golden Globe Award, will now join the prestigious line of stars that have portrayed the former South African president’s role, after Morgan Freeman in Clint Eastwood’s ‘Invictus‘, David Harewood in ‘Mrs Mandela‘ and Terrence Howard in ‘Winnie‘.
Production of the film is expected to begin in May of 2012.
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