Director Justin Chadwick in talks to helm.
Producer Anant Singh’s long-gestating Nelson Mandela biopic ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ appears to be finally gaining some momentum. Screen Daily reports that Idris Elba (‘Luther,’ ‘Prometheus’) is attached to play the South African leader, with ‘Skyfall’ actress Naomie Harris in talks to portray his wife Winnie Mandela.
With a screenplay penned by William Nicholson (‘Les Misérables,’ ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age,’ ‘Gladiator’), the film will chart the whole of Mandela’s life, and will include scenes shot on Robben Island, the notorious South African prison where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity.
Justin Chadwick (‘The Other Boleyn Girl’) is believed to circling the director’s chair. The British directed previously worked with Harris on ‘The First Grader,’ a biopic of Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge, a Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter.