Luther star Idris Elba to play Nelson Mandela

British actor Idris Elba is set to portray Nelson Mandela on the big screen.

The Luther star revealed he will take on the role of the former South African president in the big-screen adaptation of Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom.

"My big project this year, I'm gonna go play Nelson Mandela in Long Walk To Freedom, which is his official book," he told website Hip Hollywood.

The actor, who currently stars in Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance, added: "That's where my head is geared to this summer."

The King's Speech director Tom Hooper was at one stage linked to the biopic.

Mandela chronicled his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison in his memoir.

Elba - who previously revealed that playing Mandela would be one of his dream roles - is the latest star to portray the activist turned politician, following Morgan Freeman in Clint Eastwood's Invictus, David Harewood in Mrs Mandela and Terrence Howard in Winnie.

PA