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Kirwin, PacificCoastNews



Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, who portray Nelson and Winnie Mandela in 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.' The biopic has been transformed into a eulogy with the death of the South African leader.




A Nelson Mandela[1] biopic that took 10 years to make has turned into a tender eulogy with the passing of the revered South African leader.


“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” was being screened in London Thursday night when news broke of the anti-apartheid leader’s death — making the release of the celebratory film all the more poignant.


'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' took 10 years to make. Mandela gave his full support to the film before his passing.

Weinstein Co.


'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' took 10 years to make. Mandela gave his full support to the film before his passing.



PHOTOS: WORLD REMEMBERS BELOVED SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA[2]


The 95-year-old gave his full support to the biography, the most comprehensive film ever made of his revolutionary life.


Idris Elba and Naomie Harris at the London screening of 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' on Thursday. The news of Nelson Mandela's death broke that night.

Anthony Harvey/Getty Images


Idris Elba and Naomie Harris at the London screening of 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' on Thursday. The news of Nelson Mandela's death broke that night.



Starring British actor Idris Elba, “Mandela” already had limited release in four New York theaters on Nov. 29. It’s also been shown to dignitaries, including President Obama in the White House. It will open worldwide on Christmas.


PHOTOS: REMEMBERING NELSON MANDELA'S MOVING VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY IN 1990[3]


Idris Elba during a press conference at the Nelson Mandela Center of Memories on Nov. 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Times/Getty Images


Idris Elba during a press conference at the Nelson Mandela Center of Memories on Nov. 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa.



Mandela’s state funeral will be held Dec. 15 in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu.


A Weinstein Co. publicist said the film’s release schedule won’t be changed but declined to say if the movie’s marketing would be altered.


'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' is the most comprehensive film ever made of the leader's revolutionary life. Here, Idris Elba (left) portrays Mandela in the biopic.

Keith Bernstein


'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' is the most comprehensive film ever made of the leader's revolutionary life. Here, Idris Elba (left) portrays Mandela in the biopic.



PHOTOS: NELSON MANDELA'S DEATH: HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD[4]


The movie directed by British filmmaker Justin Chadwick hadn’t won any awards heading into December.


But the voting for many of the industry’s most prestigious awards — like the Golden Globes and the Oscars — will start in the next two months.


RELATED: SOUTH AFRICA PREPARES FOR NELSON MANDELA'S FUNERAL[5]


The film is already a huge success in South Africa, where it set a box-office debut record, earning $427,000 in its opening week.


With News Wire Services




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