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Idris Elba: My Film About Nelson Mandela is the Best

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Idris Elba, one of the hottest actors around, took some time recently to discuss upcoming Nelson Mandela film, while being coy about James Bond rumors.

You’ve got three films coming out this year (2). Which one should I be most excited about?

They’re all exciting in different ways. I’m most excited about Mandela. Pacific Rim I saw the other day, which is . . .  if you like that sort of film, that sort of massive real-life cartoon with really good actors and really good effects, you’re gonna love it.

The PR who organized this said that you might win an Oscar for the Mandela film.

I’ve not heard that. But it’s a great film. It’s a real picture postcard of his life, and I’m proud of it.

Nelson Mandela has already seen parts of it, hasn’t he?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wasn’t with him, but I got told that he was really happy. He even asked: “Is that me?”

In a Mandela-off with Morgan Freeman’s Mandela and Terrence Howard’s Mandela (3), where would your Mandela come?

Hands down the best. Hands down the best. Not in terms of performance. But my film’s about his entire life. Anyone wanting to understand who Mandela was should go and watch my film. Morgan Freeman is outstanding. Terrence Howard is an outstanding actor. But my film is about his life.

I saw on Twitter that you’ve been palling around with Prince Charles today.

Yeah! Me and Prince. Sorry, me and His Royal Highness. We were giving out awards to young achievers from The Prince’s Trust. It was such a special afternoon. It was the first time I’d met His Royal Highness. He gave me a badge.

What does someone even talk about with Prince Charles?

He’s a very smart man, very warm. He just likes to know who you are and what you’re doing. Apparently he knew who I was. He wants me to send him a DVD of Mandela when it comes out.

You’re definitely going to be the next James Bond, I heard.

Who?

James Bond.

I’m not recollecting who that is.

Read more: Guardian.co.uk

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