Idris Elba has made quite a name for himself in recent years as he has enjoyed success on both the big and small screen.
However, January is he is set to take on the most challenging role of his acting career… he is of course set to play Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
The movie is based on the 1994 book of the same name by Mandela himself, and sees Justin Chadwick in the director’s chair.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is the third film of Chadwick’s directing career as he has brought us The Other Boleyn Girl and The First Grader; he is no stranger to telling a biopic tale.
However, the story of Mandela is the most important story that Chadwick has so far told, and it fell to William Nicholson to adapt the book into a screenplay.
The role of Nelson Mandela could well be a defining moment in the acting career of Idris Elba - he could well find himself in the Oscar race; we all know how much the Academy loves a biopic performance.
Naomie Harris reunites with director Chadwick as she takes on the role of Winnie Mandela in the film; the pair first worked together on The First Grader.
Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moose, Zolani Mkiva and Terry Pheto are just some of the other names that make up the cast list.
The film celebrates Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his election as President of South Africa.
It explores the Mandela unknown to most of the world - the lover of fast cars and women, the boxing enthusiast and playboy, the skilful lawyer and the gun-toting freedom fighter - an intimate portrait of the making of a modern icon.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has already proved a box office success in South Africa as it took over $73,000 in its opening weekend; the highest ever for a non-holiday weekend. That success looks set to continue when it hits the big screen here in the UK at the beginning of next month.
There are quite a few biopic pictures heading out way in 2014, Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom is just one that is not to be missed.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is released 3rd January 2014
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