Idris Elba's biopic about former South African President and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela has been picked up for distribution. The Weinstein Company has bought the rights to Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, which stars Elba as the South African leader. The film will be directed by Justin Chadwick with Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela. The script was written by William Nicholson, who also penned Gladiator. The production will reportedly focus on Mandela's early life, education and the nearly three decades he spent imprisoned for his work against the South African political and social system of apartheid. The film, shot for 16 weeks in and around South Africa, also features a host of South African actors. No word yet on when the film is set to release. In the meantime you can keep up with Idris Elba at SXSW 2013, where he will appear for a screening of his latest film They Die By Dawn - playing on March 16th. The film also stars Michael K. Williams, Rosario Dawson, Isaiah Washington, Giancarlo Esposito and Erykah Badu.
Spotted at IW
