Comments on: It’s Official: Idris Elba to Play Nelson Mandela In New Biopic

By: KiweK

KiweK — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:01:10 +0000

Idris is one beautiful man, but as it has already been mentioned, Xhosa is not at all an “easy” language to those who are not Xhosa. Even South African non-Xhosa speakers have a hard time with the language.

But once again, we have the case of “well known” international actor, potraying a great African legend. History of such has not always been a good result.

All that said, we wish Idris all the best for this project.

By: Idris Elba to Play Nelson Mandela in a Biopic! | POPSESSIVE.com

Idris Elba to Play Nelson Mandela in a Biopic! | POPSESSIVE.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:46:39 +0000

[...] also begin filming later this [...]

By: Idris Elba Set To Play Nelson Mandela In Biopic | EgyptSaidSo.com - TV and Radio Personality Egypt Pops The Hood on Hollywood with Entertainment News, Advice, & Gossip

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:27:27 +0000

[...] Source [...]

By: Perverted Alchemist

Perverted Alchemist — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:34:11 +0000

Another case of the right film for the wrong actor…

By: Pelo

Pelo — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:55:32 +0000

Nelson Mandela is not dark-skinned at all.

By: AustralianGirl

AustralianGirl — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:46:48 +0000

*Clarification: my uncle saw Mandela when he was released from jail

By: AustralianGirl

AustralianGirl — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:45:21 +0000

Idris looks nothing like Mandela. But he may still do a good job, we’ll see.

My uncle saw him when he was released from jail in 1990.

My sister and dad have campaigned for the ANC.

By: IMO

IMO — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:16:19 +0000

At least Idris is a dark skinned black man with African features. This is not as egregious as Thandi’s casting. They might as well have cast Ashley Tisdale for the role…

By: African Mami

African Mami — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:28:03 +0000

eh…I fawn for this man….but I think the role should have been awarded to someone else….more so for the physical traits not matching up…..

By: Dalili

Dalili — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:29:47 +0000

**I love Idris, I really do but I am really having trouble picturing him as Nelson Mandela.**

I thought the same thing. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

By: Cia

Cia — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:49:38 +0000

When I first saw the article about Thandie Newton playing an Igbo woman (she is from Britain/Zimbabwe) I was like whatever, but I am finishing reading the book and physically she does not fit the character at all.

By: HowtoMakeFriendsNYC

HowtoMakeFriendsNYC — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:28:32 +0000

Ooh, I can’t wait for the responses on this article, because it’s going to be hot!

I love Idris, I really do but I am really having trouble picturing him as Nelson Mandela. This goes back to the “Thandi depicting a Nigerian Woman debate.”

Idris is actually African, so I won’t discredit him immediately…but you have to know that Madiba is South African, specifically from the Xhosa tribe. This tribe has distinct facial features, language, and other cultural markers.

I can for a fact tell you that they will not be amused by this depiction of Madiba. For the American audience, most viewers will not look into it or make it a big deal.

But, to depict one of the most respected and highly regarding African leaders of ETERNITY…I’m just not sure!