The official U.K. teaser trailer for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” has arrived, and it showcases leading man Idris Elba’s take on South African revolutionary and activist Nelson Mandela. The clip consists of a sparse score and contemplative voice-over from Elba’s Mandela, accompanied by the visual of an airborne tracking shot following Elba while he walks through a field in South Africa.
“I have walked a long walk to freedom,” narrates Elba as Mandela. “It has been a lonely road and it is not over yet. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin. People learn to hate. They can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart.”
The film, based on Mandela’s 1994 autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom,” will chronicle Mandela’s life as he changed the world through his work as an anti-apartheid revolutionary and subsequently as president of South Africa. The biopic is directed by Justin Chadwick, who helmed the films “The Other Boleyn Girl” and “The First Grader.”
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” also marks Elba’s most prominent leading role on film. The actor can be seen in “Pacific Rim” this summer and has had roles in films like “Prometheus” and “Thor.” Elba is the latest in a long line of actors who have portrayed the Nobel Peace Prize winner, including Sidney Poitier, Dennis Haysbert and Morgan Freeman. “Skyfall” actress Naomie Harris portrays Winnie Mandela in the film.
MTV News spoke with Elba briefly about the film around the time of Mandela’s recent health troubles, when the actor stated, “My heart and prayers are with his family at the moment.”
