OSCAR-winning actor Morgan Freeman is to play former South African president Nelson Mandela in a forthcoming film, it has been confirmed.

The 70-year-old star will also co-produce The Human Factor, a film based on the book by John Carlin of the same name.

The novel is set during the 1995 Rugby World Cup when Mr Mandela used the country’s hosting of the tournament to help heal divisions between blacks and whites.

The screenplay is being adapted by South African writer Anthony Peckham for Freeman’s production company, Revelations Entertainment.

Ironically, Freeman has previously been linked with the role of Mandela for another film, Shekhar Kapur’s Long Walk To Freedom, based on the statesman’s autobiography. But that has yet to see the light of day.

But Freeman is clearly determined to portray the inspirational figure on film, having known Mandela personally for some time.

Freeman travelled to South Africa last year to discuss the latest project with the former president and commenting in light of the announcement, he said it was “a great honour” to play Mandela.

“I’ve known Nelson Mandela personally for quite some time and am continually in awe of his enormous presence in the world,” he added.

Freeman won a best supporting actor Oscar for Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby in 2005 and has appeared in a string of movie hits including The Shawshank Redemption, Bruce Almighty and Driving Miss Daisy.

He is currently appearing in Bruce Almighty sequel, Evan Almighty alongside Steve Carell.

Mr Mandela, now 88, was recently portrayed on film by former 24 star Dennis Haysbert in Goodbye Bafana