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Civil rights icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. The former South African president passed away on Thursday (December 5), hours after the UK Royal Premiere of the movie, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, was held.
Idris Elba, who plays the late civil rights activist in the film, did a thorough research for his role trying to capture Mandela’s unique aura.
Speaking at the preimere last night, the actor said: ”I was more of a journalist than an actor when I first got the role [as Mandela]. I didn’t know as much as I’d like to about him, there is so much to learn. Especially about his aura, about the way people feel about him because you can’t really act that. You just have to have some understanding of it, so that’s what I did.
”The pressure of taking on someone that everyone knows is insurmountable – ultimately you’ve got to own it yourself. I don’t look like Mandela so I have to ask the audience to come along on a journey and say this is my interpretation.”
Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and the country’s first black president. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
I love Idris Elba as an actor and I ma very happy he does such a great investigation On Mandela’s personality, his character and even aura to portray him well in the upcoming movie. I like the actors, who want to know the character they portray in the movie to render their personality as closer to the reality as it is only possible for the audience. Idris makes a good job and is finitely a very bright ad talented actor.
Now, after Mandela’s death, Idris Elba will have to work even harder on his new role. Now he needs to render the character even better as the memory of the former President of South Africa. In a previous interview Idris was afraid that his acting and vision of Mandela character won’t be understood or liked by Mandela himself; now he needs to think of how people will estimate his work after the great loss. It is a double responsibility, but at the same time a great honor too.
Idris is a brilliant actor. I am sure he will catch Mandela’s aura and that this role will be the best in his acting career so far. I wish this talented actor much patience and success in what he does. We love you, Idris Elba!!!