In 2009, moviegoers saw Morgan Freeman playing the influential leader during his first term as South Africa’s president in Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus,” not to mention Terrence Howard and Idris Elba’s much talked about portrayals in “Winnie” and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
Helming such an iconic role is a “massive honor,” according to Elba who opened up about the project to London newspaper, “The Independent.”
"To call the prospect of playing Nelson Mandela intimidating would be to put it lightly. But it's a massive honor to play this saint amongst men,” the former “Wire” star confessed. “I was honestly confused about why they came to me. I thought, 'You can't be serious! You chose me out of everyone you could have gone to?' Then I found out that Nelson Mandela was into The Wire.”
“I thought, 'It's amazing – he might have kicked back and watched the Wire box set!' The role was definitely the biggest challenge of my life. I look and sound nothing like the man – but hopefully I've pulled it off."
In memory of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, we decided to highlight reactions to his passing from various public figures (below), in addition to a video montage (above) featuring films that were based on the charismatic leader.
(Video montage edited by: Samuel Wilkes)
"Let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived." —President Obama
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 5, 2013Remembering Nelson Mandela today, in his passing, a true pioneer and inspiration in my life. I am… http://t.co/5MnElvcDzT
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) December 6, 2013I'm hearing about Nelson Mandela's death while on African soil in Oran, Algeria. Sending prayers to Mandela's family. pic.twitter.com/i5ONBP9Xez
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 5, 20131 was convinced Nelson Mandela would NEVER get out of prison. When he did, and became President, I decided right then anything was possible.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 5, 2013My heart aches!! Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela....
— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) December 5, 2013A remarkable man and an inspiration to all. Remembering #NelsonMandela
— Barbara Walters (@BarbaraJWalters) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela was a beacon of strength and a true inspiration to us all. RIP Nelson Mandela.
— David Otunga (@DavidOtunga) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela has died, but his spirit lives forever. http://t.co/58Rj5Ma9CB
— Kevin Powell (@kevin_powell) December 5, 2013Meeting Nelson Mandela at his house in Johannesburg was a truly memorable moment in life for me. He was an angel. pic.twitter.com/PaIX362rYX
— Fergie (@Fergie) December 5, 2013My Condolences to family and close friends of Nelson Mandela. God bless you all.
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) December 5, 2013My condolences to a great man, Nelson Mandela. A life truly well lived. R.I.P.
— Keith Sweat (@OGKeithSweat) December 5, 2013A great hero of our time @NelsonMandela has transitioned, leaving an indelible mark for the potential of greatness in all of us.
— Deepak Chopra (@DeepakChopra) December 5, 2013Saddened to hear the passing of @NelsonMandela. History cannot contain the lasting impact of his unparalleled force for change
— TD Jakes (@BishopJakes) December 5, 2013A true genuine LEGEND =NELSON MANDELA May he RIP http://t.co/6Csl2z5w2t
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela #OppressionFighter. Beacon of Peace. May he rest in peace.
— Ali Shaheed Muhammad (@AliShaheed) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela bless you, your inspirational workings and your long virtuous life, #RIP
— Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) December 5, 2013#NelsonMandela you made your people proud!! We'll always love you for it!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 5, 2013Mandela stood for justice and truth!! Today the world lost a beautiful soul, fighter and true KING!! #RIPMandela http://t.co/Y6hCvwk49u
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) December 5, 2013On Nelson Mandela's passing -- http://t.co/pUftwHMqCq
— Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) December 5, 2013Thank you Nelson Mandela. All the best on your transition.
— Nasir Jones (@Nas) December 5, 2013Honored that I had a chance to meet this amazing influential being & to participate in his 46664 Aids… http://t.co/Uz2afj0C6O
— Ludacris (@Ludacris) December 5, 2013RIP Nelson Mandela.
— Donald Faison (@donald_faison) December 5, 2013“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” RIP Nelson Mandela
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 5, 2013One of our GREATEST leaders... Thank you for BEING the true meaning of compassion. May you be at peace now. #RIPNelsonMandela
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) December 5, 2013wow. #RIPNelsonMandela http://t.co/uynvpQ4XIU
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) December 5, 2013I've never been so honored to meet anyone #Mandela http://t.co/leoKOaA4BO
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela. What a difference one person can make. #RestEternally
— LL COOL J (@llcoolj) December 5, 2013A true fighter in every sense of the word... MANDELA!
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) December 5, 2013news we have dreaded for so long nelson mandela is gone will never be anyone like HIM. He changed the world best of all he changed hearts
— Gayle King (@GayleKing) December 5, 2013Wow! a freedom fighter, a hero, a leader, a Man of God. Rest in Peace Mr. @NelsonMandela
— Jacob Latimore (@jacoblatimore) December 5, 2013One of the GREATEST FREEDOM fighters of our time... @NelsonMandela http://t.co/3LtDZCa0kS
— Stephen Marley (@stephenmarley) December 5, 2013A poem for Mandela from the inaugural poet @ProfessorEA http://t.co/TW6XMcyf7P
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 5, 2013Our great champion of Freedom Justice & Equality has made his physical departure today. #NelsonMandela may your light never be extinguished
— RZA! (@RZA) December 5, 2013Today we lost the world's greatest advocate for peace and change. Nelson Mandela was a hero to so many. Rest in peace.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 5, 2013#nelsonmandela we will miss u. pic.twitter.com/fyUvg3CfVG
— KevinLiles.com (@KevinLiles1) December 5, 2013We mourn the passing of a great statesman, an incredible human being, a man of peace, Nelson Mandela… http://t.co/detdO2CUy8
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) December 5, 2013“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - #NelsonMandela
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) December 5, 2013Rest in Peace Mr. Nelson Mandela. A fearless leader, incredible human being, inspiration, a REAL hero. Truly one of a kind. God bless you.
— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) December 5, 2013RIP Nelson Mandela. You are now truly free. God Bless and enjoy the heavens. Tell Celia Cruz hello for me and azucaaaaarrrr
— Pitbull (@Pitbull) December 5, 2013Every time Melinda and I met Nelson Mandela, we left more inspired than ever. His grace and courage changed the world. This is a sad day.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 5, 2013And so it was written. And so it was done. RIP Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/WoLfEhBUzT
— Melissa De Sousa (@1MelissaDeSousa) December 5, 2013