Idris Elba Confirmed to Play Nelson Mandela In Official Biopic

 British actor Idris Elba has been confirmed to play Nelson Mandela in long-awaited biopic The Long Walk To Freedom.

       Charting the whole of Mandela's life, The Long Walk To Freedom will include scenes shot on Robben Island, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison

  "My big project this year, I'm going to go play Nelson Mandela. That's where my head is geared to this summer" ,Idris elba told Hiphollywood.com

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'.

     39 year old Elba who recently won the Golden globe award  is the latest star to play the , african icon following Morgan Freeman in Clint Eastwood's Invictus, David Harewood in Mrs Mandela and Terrence Howard in Winnie.

  Bond girl and fellow British star Naomie Harris is rumoured to have been cast as Winnie Mandela.

  Rumours of the project first surfaced in December last year. Production on the film is expected to begin in  May.