Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to make of the news that Idris Elba had been cast as Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom. We’re just a few years past Morgan Freeman’s Oscar-nominated portrait of Mandiba in Invictus, and maybe my youth is betraying me, but I feel like Mandela exists in the cultural zeitgeist as an older man, you know? Which is why I was fine with Freeman’s portrait – plus, Morgan Freeman simply looks so much like Mandela, so it all made sense. It wasn’t that I disliked Idris at all – you guys know I love some Idris – it was that I had no real concept or idea or image of Mandela as a young man.
So the full-length trailer for Long Walk to Freedom is out and… wow. Nelson Mandela was a bomb-thrower in every sense of the word. And Idris seems to be giving a career-defining performance in what I’m assuming is an all-consuming story that spans DECADES. Here’s the full-length trailer:
Here’s the teaser trailer (which came out a few weeks ago):
This looks really good. It also looks very Oscar-baity. Like, I think if Academy voters were really familiar with Idris Elba (he has name recognition, but I’m not sure if he’s really a “known quantity” in Hollywood), he would be a shoo-in for Best Actor. I also think it’s very possible that this year’s Best Actor category is going to be dominated by actors of color. Already, we’re hearing major Oscar buzz about Idris, about Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave, and about Michael B. Jordan’s extraordinary performance in Fruitvale Station (which I personally can’t wait to see and I really hope it comes to my town). Could it be that Benedict Cumberbatch might be the only white man in this year’s Best Actor category? Huh.
Also – Naomie Harris is blowing me away here. I definitely think if the award season campaign is handled well, Naomie will be nominated for most (if not all) Best Supporting Actress awards.
By the way, sometimes I feel like I’m the only person who watched this movie, but if you’d like to see a really good film about the end of apartheid and how all of the players were moved into the correct positions, I highly recommend the film Endgame. It features wonderful performances by Ejiofor (playing Thabo Mbeki), Jonny Lee Miller and William Hurt.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Can’t wait to see this! And I too always think of Mandela as an “old man”. This should be very interesting.
This looks awesome. Idris is so magnetic and charismastic.
Honestly, I’ve never really seen the appeal of Idris Elba before, but I completely do now!
I think there’s a Luther repeat on tonight . . .
This is going to be a cracking film.
@Amelia,
Have you seen Luther? It’s good for Idris ogling, but it’s a little over over-wrought. The supporting cast in it is SO good, too.
amelia (beautiful name by the way) have you never seen The Wire?
If you haven’t you must watch it, it will change your life. Not being dramatic it is THAT GOOD.
He was in prison for so long! 30 years? Post-prison Mandela is the only Mandela most of us have known. There’s limited footage of him as a younger dude. Not a whole lot of people were reporting on the ANC back then.
*In the United States, I should say.
Awesome trailer….I am so happy Idris will get more recognition through this movie. Man is underrated I feel.
Movie looks excellent and I hope he gets an Oscar nomination for sure. Gahhh 2 of my favourites will be competing in best actor category this year, Idris and Benedict….may the best man win 🙂
Also agreed with Kaiser that Naomie Harris deserves an Oscar nod here, she is acting marvellous here.
Though I have to say I am not too fond of te posters as it doesn’t look innovative or anything but the trailer makes up for it
it never ceases to amaze me how little people know about early Mandela AND Winnie.
It’s sad that Winnie’s film is sitting on a shelf even though i still object to Jennifer Hudson being cast as Winnie in that film, but both their stories need to be told properly especially from the beginning rather than the end that everyone knows and thinks is all they are.
Agreed. Young Mandela was fascinating. He (rightly) founded the armed wing of the ANC. A people shouldnt have to beg for their dignity, no offence to Gandhi and company. To paraphrase a great man “theres no point trying to reason with a man who isnt trying to reason with you. His autobiography is fascinating. He explains why he changed tack and insists that had the world continued to deal with the apartheid government he would have supported a full out war. The West has built their own narrative. One where they can conviniently hide their complicity with the appartheid government and simultanously rebrand Mandela for ease of consumption.
And boy was young Mandela a player. He all but abandoned his first wife when he met the stunning, educated and politically conscious Winnie. It is something he is remorseful over now. But Celebitchy would have ripped them apart if it had gone down today. Young Mandela is where the real story is. Fascinating man.
This movie looks good and Elba and Harris look like they do a fantastic job.
“Could it be that Benedict Cumberbatch might be the only white man in this year’s Best Actor category?”
LOL If that happens, I’ll eat my hat.
As stunning as all those actors are the Academy is both Ultra white and Ultra Lame, so i’d love it but Doubt that even their respective studios would mount the money etc for a lobby and Oscar campaing, amazing as though it might be
I’m feeling optimistic about their chances. What about Forest Whitaker, Best Actor for The Last King of Scotland? He nailed the East African accent (I heard he learnt Swahili, too.)
And also, it’s the Weinstein Company, so Harvey will be skulking about in the background threatening someone or other.
It’s also fits into the category of the right type of “black” movies – it’s not too controversial, about something old white men can understand and is going to be fairly straightforward in its message – Apartheid, bad, Mandela, good. It’ll translate easily enough for Oscar contention, I think. And the Academy does love their biopics.
Amelia – re: Forest’s accent – He did not nail the accent.
There is no such thing as an East African accent. There is something like 60 tribes in East Africa, all with very distinct accents when speaking English or any other language that is not their own tribal language. The accents are as distinct as hearing a German vs French native speaking English, which incidentally is also how distinct the tribes are.
Also, Swahili is not a universal language. Not all East Africans speak it and definitely not Ugandans in the 70s for a very specific reason which i won’t go into here.
Tanzania and Kenya took up Swahili in an official capacity, but Uganda has not. More Ugandans are speaking it, but English remains the official national language and they prefer to speak their own tribal languages when at leisure.
It’s Harvey W production…
The trailer gave me chills. Harvey is gonna pimp this like MAD.
*Whispers: I secretly hope he does pimp it*
“Could it be that Benedict Cumberbatch might be the only white man in this year’s Best Actor category?”
Wait, for which film? The Julian Assange movie? Because I was thinking Leo would be the only white actor in the category, for The Wolf of Wall Street, but the poor guy might get shut out again – it’s definitely going to be a crowded field this year.
You are joking right…Leo for that movie…no way. In the trailer itself his performance sucks, it looks crap to me and the only person in that movie who is probably even worth for an Oscar nod is Mathew Mcconaughey.
honestly based on what i have seen it should be pretty much all black actors for lead actors this year, the work these fabulous talented actors and the stories they have told have been beyond incredible.
But it is hollywood and I just don’t now if I have faith in them to go with the best performance. I mean lets be honest, none of these actors are huge names. And like someone said Leo, who is average IMO, has a movie. Meryl/Roberts has something that obviously has a big time male actors in it.
So will they nominate the best performance regardless of race and status or will they go after the stars?
This looks incredible and I agree with what others say, I’m glad they’re focusing on his earlier life.
Idris is amazing in Luther.
Has anyone seen his mumford and sons video that he directed Lover of the Light.
Well worth a watch
I have! I have! *drool*
Lindy – did you know he wrote and directed an episode of the current series of Playhouse Presents on Sky Arts? The one with Anna Friel and Nonso Anozie?
I love Idris – actor, muso/DJ and footling about writing and directing for kooky things like that.
(PS: Marc Warren wrote a Playhouse Presents this series, too. David Harewood was in it. And another reason to wonder why Hiddles has remained so ungainfully unemployed all year when there are things like this going on).
Oh really? Must go looking for that. I enjoyed the first Playhouse series.
He’s wonderful. Even his small roles in Thor and Prometheus, he holds your focus. So commanding, and he seems like a nice genuine bloke too.
I don’t know if you saw this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/19746999. He did a brilliant segment live on the night too.
He’s also got that documentary about clubbing – How Club Music Changed the World, I think it’s called. He’s still doing a DJ residency at a place in East London, too, I think.
I did not know he directed that video. I only saw it last week. Loved it. Love him. Love Luther (it can be overwrought lol) and I really miss Alice. What a fun enterprising psycho.
Everything… just, everything. I’m going to love this movie.
As much as i’d like to watch this film as a person from Southern Africa and whose country was the first Mandela visited after being released from prison, I just cannot watch Idris Elba.
I had a run in with ‘Big Driss’ and his entourage a couple of years back in Soho. The man is a wanker and has an ego the size of London to boot. Ugh.
Between this, 12 Years A Slave, Fruitvale Station (which I wanna see, but I’m trying to prepare myself because I know I’ll cry hysterically) I’m super excited for actors of color and their Oscar potential. I’m also excited ANYTIME people from The Wire have any success.
Don’t forget the Butler, Forest Whitaker is getting some very good reviews for that movie. It’s going to be an interesting oscar campaign.
I’ve see Fruitvale, and you cry but that isn’t actually the reaction you have. I literally started shaking, and got freezing cold. That has never happened to me watching a movie but I had a physical reaction. And when it ends my entire theater sat there for quite some time in stunned silence.
It honestly needs to sweep the Oscars. I have never seen anything like it.
I believe you. That’s why I’m scared. I’m super emotional. I will be openly sobbing. I feel like it’s like witnessing someone’s murder.
@tiffany you do witness his murder the film opens with the actual cell phone footage of him being murdered, it is terrible but I have to say its not the most difficult part of the film to watch. When they re-enact the moment it hits you at your core. I can’t explain it, you think you will cry watching that part and you don’t Megan is right it is physical.
I can not say enough positive things about this movie.
Much love for Idris and The Wire! One of my good friends was an extra on the show and said the cast were all wonderful.
I know, when I see actors from The Wire enjoying successes beyond the show, I get as excited as if it was a family member! This really hope that this is a bang up year for actors of color in the Best Actor category. There are so many men this year who have long, impressive careers behind them that deserve the nom. There’s Idris Elba here, Chiwitel Ejiofore, Forrest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, and we can’t forget Oscar Isaac for Inside Llewelyn Davis! Do you think the Academy would do a year with no white men in the Best Actor category?
I know. Crying season soon. The only movie I can care less about is The Butler. It looks horrible!
Btw, His accent is really good!!
Love me some Idris Elba!!!
He NAILS IT!!! My babies from the Wire may have gotten screwed out of Emmys but they are on their way to Oscars. I am so proud and excited.
FYI I saw Fruitvale Station, and it is incredible, while I think Idris is unbelievable in this based on promos. I will be stabby if Michael B Jordan doesn’t win. You literally shake watching that money. He was perfection as was Octavia.
+1
I am so proud of the guys from The Wire. They deserve all of their success.
+2
This Oscar season won’t be a 40 degree day. 🙂
Love the wire and can’t tell you how excite I am also that these fine actors are starting to get the recognition they deserve.
I hope they show some love for Oliver tambo in the film and his friendship with Mandela. I always get a bit sad there almost no mention o Tambo and his role in anti-apartheid movement abroad especially getting the public to boycott South African goods.
This movie looks really good, I love Idris and would love for him to get more recognition. As for the Oscar talk, I don’t know if we can include Cumberbatch quite yet. Remember how much weight Matthew McConaughey lost for The Dallas Buyers Club movie? The Oscars love a huge change in psychical appearance for a role and we haven’t seen the trailer for that one yet. I really hope Idris, Michael B. Jordan and Forrest Whitaker get nods though I am not too sure about BC yet.
The movie seems like it idealizes Winnie but isn’t she an incredibly polarizing figure? As an American I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know much about it, but there was the whole necklacing thing and her gang of enforcers while Nelson was in prison, right?
I think you should read up on Winnie.
There is alot to her than the later monstrous Winnie.
or is it that people gloss over her earlier life and struggle because of the monstrous Winnie she became.
It is so hard to make a black and white judgement when you learn her history. Then one feels awful for not vilifying her 100% because her later monstrous acts are completely unforgiveable and inexcusable.
when he says “and you are the most beautiful girl i have ever seen my” heart just stops.IDRIS JUST STOP THIS!YOU ARE TOO MUCH FOR A LITLLE PARISIAN GIRL LIKE ME
Wow, I’m really excited to see this. I love the idea of the film concentrating on the young, virile Mandela and depicting black militancy in the face of systemic discrimination as a positive and necessary thing. Idris Elba is a wonderful and arresting actor. I’m excited for this film and that black actors are being given the opportunity to shine in meaningful and powerful films. It’s about time.
Yesss Queen Naomie!!! And oh Elba indeed he slays.
And oh yes I have watched Endgame, Chiwetel performance was riveting,I remember watching it on Channel 4 the first time. Utterly recommended people!
I know…do it Naomie! So happy for Naomi, Ejiofor (they used to be one hot couple btw) & Michael B. Jordan. Elba seems a little stuck on himself but I’m happy for him too. Fassy better get something soon or the Academy is officially The MTV Movie Awards.
It looks fantastic!!! I love Idris! Ive said it before, ill say it again. He should be in Neil gaimans Anansi boys as spider or fat Charlie. He sounds perfect for any role really in that book realky. Sexy, handsome, talented. What’s not to love?
Long walk, indeed. 27 years behind bars… can you imagine maintaining your conviction for anything in the face of that? I’m sure within 5 years, I’d permanently give up: “Oh well, I tried, maybe the next generation will make freedom happen.”
But he didn’t. Amazing!
Wow, lots of good movies (I hope) coming out soon. This, 12 years a slave and Fruitvale Station with the yummy and talented Michael B. Can’t wait!
And yes my girl Naomie looks like she’ll be knocking it out of the park in this film.
It’s way too early in the game to call the Oscar noms yet: there’s Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips, Matthew McConaughay for the Dallas Buyers Club, Leo for The Wolf of Wall Street, Christian Bale for Into The Furnace or American Hustle and Bruce Dern for Nebraska. I’d love to see Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael B Jordan and Idris Elba in the list but it’s gonna be hella crowded. I know he’s not popular round these parts but I hope Leo wins (or is at least nominated). It’s frustrating that someone like McConaughay can spend a decade churning out garbage before turning things around and making good and interesting choices and get Oscar buzz, whereas Leo makes consistently good films and is overlooked or accused of being Oscar baity. I imagine he’s personally not that bothered as he has a better career than a lot of Oscar winners (ditto Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jr) but I’ve stayed up watching the oscars for years hoping for a win for him. If Jennifer Lawrence can win one, Leo should be able to. Frustrated Leo fangirl signing off.
I cant wait for this!
I adore Idris. The James Bond franchise made a HUGE mistake by not choosing him for the new James Bond. Daniel Craig is just so not hot. All I can see are his huge ears, expressionless face and pasty complexion. Maybe English women find Craig hot. As if it were so ground-breaking to cast a blond Bond. Give me an f-ing break!