MORGAN FREEMAN - FREEMAN THRILLED AT MANDELA REQUEST

MORGAN FREEMAN was honoured when celebrated former South Africa president NELSON MANDELA asked for the actor to play him in a new film.

The MILLION DOLLAR BABY star, who has been working on a movie adaptation of Mandela's autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, since 2002, insists there are more sides to the Nobel Peace Prize winner than most people realise.

He says, "Well, he didn't ask for me but when he was asked whom he would like to play the role, he did use my name, yeah.

"I met him on a number of occasions and I told him I was thrilled he wanted me to be him.

"The first thing you notice about him is his dedication to his country and the depth of his character, his soul, and that he offers so much of himself.

"The negative side is the heaviest part, the sense of loss - his mom is dead, his children. Nobody knows this side of him."