Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in a new movie directed by Clint Eastwood

Above are pictures of actor Morgan Freeman playing South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon playing white South African rugby captain, Francois Pienaar in an upcoming movie being directed by Clint Eastwood.

Below is the actual picture of Mr. Mandel and Mr. Pienaar during the 1995 World Cup after South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12.

The movie is based on the iconic image of Mr. Mandela handing white captain Pienaar the winning trophy, a significant step forward to unifying a post-apartheid South Africa.

Believing he could bring his people together through sports, Mr. Mandela rallied South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they made an unlike run to the World Cup championship match

The movie, which is scheduled to open in December 2009, is based on John Carlin’s book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation.

United in glory: Nelson Mandela hands Springbok captain Francois Pienaar the 1995 World Cup trophy after South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12