Morgan Freeman will not star in the movie adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography The Long Walk to Freedom.
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The Shawshank Redemption star and the former South African President have been working on a film project about the former South African President’s life for years, but Freeman no longer plans to adapt the book.
The 70-year-old Oscar-winner said: “It was his idea for me to play him. I’ve been in contact with him now for maybe 15 years now. I was originally going to do his story, The Long Walk to Freedom, but now we’re going to do something else. I’ve been in contact with him to discuss it over the years.”
Freeman has previously spoken of the honour he felt at being approached by the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
He said: “I was thrilled he wanted me to be him. The first thing you notice about him is his dedication to his country and the depth of his character, his soul, and that he offers so much of himself. The negative side is the heaviest part, the sense of loss – his mom is dead, his children. Nobody knows this side of him.”
