Idris Elba has revealed that he originally turned down the chance to play Nelson Mandela.
Elba will be lighting up cinema screens in the new year as he is set to play the former South African President in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
The movie is an adaptation of Mandela's autobiography of the same name and follows him from childhood, his years in jail, through to being becoming President.
Speaking to Reader's Digest the actor said: "You know, I was really, really sensitive [about the role]. My agent called up to ask if I wanted to play Mandela and I put the phone down on him. I was like, no way. Mandela? Couldn't do it.
"You're asking me to play Mandela, do you think I'm going to play a f***ing Disney Mandela? Don't ask me to do that yeah?
"Then I thought to myself, called him back and said, 'Can I be honest? If it's a grey-haired version of the fist-pumping Mandela, I'm not the actor to bring in. I'm not Morgan, go with Morgan."
However, Elba's bravery was rewarded as he has received a Best Actor - Drama Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
The category is going to be a hard fought one this year as Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Matthew McConaughey and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all in the mix.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is released 3rd January 2014.
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