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The Academy might as well hand it over now. With Variety reporting that Morgan Freeman is developing a Nelson Mandela biopic through his production company, Revelations Entertainment, the story might as well have been that Freeman was giving away free puppies and bars of gold to Academy members.

That’s right. I’m starting Oscar buzz for a movie that hasn’t even started filming.

Admittedly, the project is a daunting task, but in the capable production hands of Freeman and Lori McCreary and with Freeman starring as the living icon of peace and freedom to South Africa, it seems unlikely that the end result will be anything less than stellar.

The flick will be based on the forthcoming, “The Human Factor: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Changed the World” by John Carlin. Add to the top of the list that Mandela himself has spoken with Freeman about the project, and it appears like we may be at the station watching an unstoppable Oscar train about to take off.

The only thing that remains to be seen is whether Revelations will be capable of making this film at the level of Blood Diamond or The Departed instead of 10 Items or Less. Freeman as Mandela is a no-brainer, but a lot will ride on the tone of the film.

Otherwise, consider 2009 a lock.