Washington, July 04: Actor Morgan Freeman has been roped in to play former South African leader Nelson Mandela in a new film about the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

The 71-year-old actor revealed that in order to perfect his role, he is trying to master Mandela`s voice and his heavy accent.

The film is based on John Carlin`s book Nelson Mandela + The Game That Made a Nation.

"I`ve got to suggest his voice and his speech without making a fool of myself,” Contactmusic quoted Freeman, as saying.

Shooting for the new film will start early next year in South Africa, where the 1995 World Cup was held.

ANI