British actor Idris Elba was hospitalised in the UK Saturday after he had an asthma attack while on his way to the premiere of his new movie “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” in Johannesburg.

The star of the new film about the life of former South African president Nelson Mandela is recovering after suffering the attack on his way to the film’s premiere. The incident happened on a plane but he was taken off before the flight left the United Kingdom.

He was unable to attend a news conference surrounding the film in South Africa because of illness.

Elba stars in the movie alongside fellow British star Naomie Harris who will play Mandela’s former wife Winnie in the movie.

Harris has had roles in such movies as the James Bond flick “Skyfall” where she played Miss Moneypenny.

The film tells the story of Mandela’s imprisonment on Robben Island and his later release and election to the South African presidency. The movie premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

Elba moved to South Africa for three months during the filming to help him better understand the society. The film is set to be released in January next year.

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