Will Smith compares Barack Obama to Nelson Mandela

London, June 27 : Will Smith has compared US presidential hopeful Barack Obama to one of the greatest political figures of the last 50 years, Nelson Mandela.

Smith, who is in London promoting his latest film 'Hancock,' discussed the movie but seemed more than happy to talk about the man who he regards as a political superhero, Obama.

The actor even went on to compare Obama with Mandela.

"Nelson Mandela is kind of the one person I've said yes to. And Barack Obama was probably only the second person that I've really to this level said yes to," BBC quoted him, as saying.

"And that's because I believe what he believes in.

"I travel around the world a lot, and I was kind of used to people being happy when the Americans showed up. That sort of changed over the last eight years.

"So I'm excited about the new possibilities of hope and change that Barack is bringing," he added.

Smith also described why he thinks people in his position should get involved with and try to influence people when it comes to politics.

"Individuals have to decide what they want to do," he said.

"I think I'm a pretty good judge if someone's a good person. So I just lend my support to people that I believe are good people," he added.

ANI