A a few days ago we learned the title of Clint Eastwood's new film was Invictus and today Warner Bros. sent out an official press release confirming the title and announcing a December 11 release date pitting it head-to-head with Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones.

The film was written by native South African writer Anthony Peckham and based upon the book "Playing the Enemy," by John Carlin and tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team (Matt Damon) to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Filming on Invictus was accomplished entirely on location in and around the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.

Invictus is sure to be an awards contender, just as most any Eastwood film is lately and Warner Bros. continues to give his features prime award season placement. Taking a look at Eastwood's last six films results in 22 Oscar nominations, which includes seven wins. If you take Gran Torino out of the picture, those 22 nominations are actually credited to only five films. To say I see nominations for Damon and Freeman in the future would be an understatement, not to mention the potential for even more awards.

Related post categories: Oscar Contenders, Release Date Roundup : Invictus

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