Morgan Freeman To Play Nelson Mandela In A Rugby World Cup Film

Morgan Freeman is to play former South African leader Nelson Mandela in a new film about the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Freeman reveals he's currently trying to master Mandela's voice and his heavy accent for the movie, which is based on John Carlin's book 'Nelson Mandela & The Game That Made a Nation'.

The 71-year-old actor says, "I've got to suggest his voice and his speech without making a fool of myself."

The new film will start shooting in South Africa early next year, where the 1995 World Cup was held.