Invictus (2009)

Based On the Life of: Nelson Mandela

Starring: Morgan Freeman

Movie Budget: $60 million

Star Salary: $5-$10 million

Invictus has become one of Morgan Freeman’s most celebrated roles. Freeman plays the role of Nelson Mandela, the South African leader who was unjustly imprisoned for twenty-seven years. After he was released from jail, the difficult taks of uniting his country was place upon his shoulders—despite deep racial divisions caused by Apartheid.

The movie chronicles Mandel’s journey to join forces with Francois Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, to try to break down the racial division that plagued South Africa. The film received the Paul Selvin Award.