Watch CBS News

U2 on recording "Ordinary Love" for new "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"

Bono and his U2 bandmates co-hosted a special red carpet event with Vogue's Anna Wintour in New York Monday night, celebrating the release of the new film, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba stars in the drama as the anti-apartheid revolutionary who becomes the first democratically-elected president of South Africa, following a 27-year-long imprisonment.

"Skyfall" actress Naomie Harris also stars as Winnie Mandela, who herself helped further the anti-apartheid cause while her husband was incarcerated. Harris had previously worked with "Mandela" director Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") on 2010's "The First Grader," also shot in Africa.

During the special New York screening, Chadwick said that he was thrilled after U2 agreed to record a new song, "Ordinary Love," specifically for the movie.

"Sitting there and listening to that track as they cut it was a pretty amazing moment in my life, I can tell you," Chadwick said.

Bono and the rest of the members of U2 have worked extensively on charitable causes with Mr. Mandela in the past, and they even halted work on their upcoming studio album just so they could record "Ordinary Love."

"It had to be a great song for this project," Bono explained. "I think it's a great song."

Watch video above to see U2, Wintour and the film's stars on the red carpet.

"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 29.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.