Can I just say it? Naomie Harris is one sexy lady. It's more than just her simply being "hot", but she has a combination of beauty, attitude, and physicality that makes her simply irresistible in practically every movie she's in. Like many, she first came to my attention in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, and she'll be seen next as part of James Bond's stable in Skyfall.
One thing she's very rarely had was a role that showed her real dramatic chops, with the most recent opportunity coming as part of The First Grader. If you've never seen that film, it was directed by Justin Chadwick(The Other Boleyn Girl), and told the true story of a Kenyan man who enrolled in elementary school at the age of 84. It's truly a wonderful, uplifting film, and Harris is great in it. Now it looks as if she'll get a chance to jump into film based on a real life story, playing a key figure in the fight against apartheid.
Harris will play Winnie Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom, the film based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography detailing his early life, imprisonment, and rise to prominence. A few weeks ago, Idris Elba signed on to play Mandela, in a move that probably took a lot of people by surprise. Winnie was and continues to be a controversial figure in her own right, so it'll be interesting to see how large a role she plays in the film.
The film has been in development for awhile, but it seems to be gathering some serious steam, and even better for Harris is that Chadwick is in talks to take over as director. With filming set to begin in May, we probably won't see this until next year, but with a cast like this don't be surprised if it becomes an Oscar contender. [Screen Daily]
