Damn, Clint Eastwood works fast. Not only did he have two films out in 2008, “Changeling” and “Gran Torino,” but he’s got another one about Nelson Mandela already scheduled for 2009, albeit at the end of the year, Oscar-bait season, December 2009 according to recent Warner Bros. schedules.
Based on the book, “Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation” by John Carlin, the screenplay is by Anthony Peckham (“Sherlock Holmes”) and yes, Eastwood is once again directing. As previously reported by Variety, the film stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon plays rugby team captain Francois Pienaar. The project was once called, “The Human Factor,” but according to WB, the film is still currently untitled.
The synopsis:
“The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.”
Perhaps something we’ll see as an Oscar contender at the end of this year? (God, it’s ridiculous when people look at December in January). One caveat. Shooting hasn’t apparently started yet, but don’t worry, if Eastwood can finish two films in one year, you can bet he can shoot a film in March and still have it completely ready for an end of year release.
He was shooting Gran Torino in late July in my hometown. I saw him. And then when I finally saw the film in the theater, the kid that played his disrespectful grandson was at the theater.
He was shooting whatever film this is in my country and there’s a good chance I will end up interviewing Eastwood before the film opens too, stoked for that.