Editing Morgan Freeman (section)

===2005–2013: Documentaries and thriller films===
[[File:Morgan Freeman y Paz Vega en Madrid 01 crop.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Freeman in 2007]]
Freeman made six appearances in various films in 2005. In the drama ''[[An Unfinished Life]]'', Freeman plays Mitch, a neighbor of a Wyoming rancher (Robert Redford). The film had a mixed response; ''[[The Guardian]]'' critic thought it was amiable but questioned the purpose of Freeman's "sidekick" role.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brooks|first=Xan|date=June 16, 2006|title=An Unfinished Life|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/jun/16/drama|access-date=July 26, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726180809/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/jun/16/drama|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman's authoritative voice led to his narration of two documentaries; Steven Spielberg's ''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' and the Academy Award-winning ''[[March of the Penguins]]''.<ref name=":5" /> He also appeared in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[Batman Begins]]'', the first installment in what would become ''[[The Dark Knight Trilogy]]'', as the fictional [[Lucius Fox]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dargis|first=Manohla |author-link=Manohla Dargis |date=June 15, 2005|title=Dark Was the Young Knight Battling His Inner Demons|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 31, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617083513/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html|archive-date=June 17, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> After this, he co-starred with [[Jet Li]] in the action-thriller ''[[Unleashed (2005 film)|Unleashed]]'', playing Sam, a blind piano tuner who helps Li's character turn his life around. The film gained a mixed-to-positive reception; Peter Hartlaub of ''San Francisco Chronicle'' was confused with the genre and thought Freeman's character interrupted the narrative.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hartlaub|first=Peter|date=May 13, 2005|title=Jet Li takes a bold leap|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Jet-Li-takes-a-bold-leap-2671163.php|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=SFGate|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726180807/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Jet-Li-takes-a-bold-leap-2671163.php|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman's next role was in the thriller ''[[Edison (film)|Edison]]'', which bombed at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edison|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl206669313/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726222248/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl206669313/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In his last release of 2005, he provided the voice of [[Neil Armstrong]] in the documentary ''[[Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Esposito|first=Michael|date=September 23, 2005|title=IMAX beats NASA back to the moon|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-09-23-0509230381-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613222504/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-09-23-0509230381-story.html|archive-date=June 13, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref>

Freeman starred in 2006's ''[[The Contract (2006 film)|The Contract]]'', as assassin Frank Carden opposite [[John Cusack]]. The film was released [[direct-to-video]], which critic John Cornelius suggests was unsurprising, considering the generic formula of the thriller.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cornelius|first=John|date=July 24, 2007|title=The Contract|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29330/contract-the/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209225642/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29330/contract-the/|archive-date=December 9, 2017|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=DVD Talk|language=en}}</ref> Freeman next appeared in ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]'' (2006), a crime thriller directed by [[Paul McGuigan (filmmaker)|Paul McGuigan]]. Starring a principal cast of [[Josh Hartnett]], [[Bruce Willis]], [[Lucy Liu]], [[Stanley Tucci]], and [[Ben Kingsley]], the film garnered mixed reception.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lucky Number Slevin (2006)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucky_number_slevin|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=April 7, 2006 |language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523204521/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucky_number_slevin/|url-status=live}}</ref> David Mattin of [[BBC]] wrote: "Kingsley and Freeman shine individually, but their inevitable, climactic clash of heads lacks force. Like its leading man [Hartnett], this movie presents a charming façade with nothing much underneath."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mattin|first=David|date=February 23, 2006|title=BBC - Movies - review - Lucky Number Slevin|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/02/17/lucky_number_slevin_2006_review.shtml|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=BBC}}</ref> Next, Freeman portrayed himself in the low-budget comedy ''[[10 Items or Less (film)|10 Items or Less]]'' opposite [[Paz Vega]]''.''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scott|first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=December 1, 2006|title=Lingering on the Express Line: Bagging Some Humanity Amid Bar-Code Scanners (Published 2006)|language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/movies/01item.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142447/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/movies/01item.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks after its theatrical release, ''10 Items or Less'' was made available for download from [[ClickStar]], a film distribution company that Freeman co-founded that year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 30, 2006|title=Morgan Freeman to release new film online two weeks after theater opening NEW YORK (AP) – Just two weeks after "10 Items or Less" opens in theaters Friday, it'll be available for digital download from Clickstar, a company that Morgan Freeman'|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2006/11/30/morgan-freeman-to-release-new-film-online-two-weeks-after-theater-opening-new-york-ap-just-two-weeks-after-10-items-or-less-opens-in-theaters-friday-itll-be-available-for-digital-downlo/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727165517/https://www.mercurynews.com/2006/11/30/morgan-freeman-to-release-new-film-online-two-weeks-after-theater-opening-new-york-ap-just-two-weeks-after-10-items-or-less-opens-in-theaters-friday-itll-be-available-for-digital-downlo/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Freeman reprised his role as God in ''[[Evan Almighty]]'', a sequel to 2003's ''Bruce Almighty'', with [[Steve Carell]]. ''Evan Almighty'' was a box-office failure<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evan Almighty|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0413099/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142450/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0413099/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> and negatively received;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evan Almighty|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/evan-almighty|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142453/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/evan-almighty|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' critic wrote: "A cast full of people who have been frequently funny elsewhere flounder in this deluge of sentimentality and [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Avoid like the [[Ten Plagues]]."<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Neill|first=Phelim|date=August 2, 2007|title=Evan Almighty|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/morganfreeman.stevecarrell|access-date=July 27, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727211152/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/morganfreeman.stevecarrell|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The drama ''[[Feast of Love]]'' was Freeman's second release of 2007. It is based on the 2000 novel ''The Feast of Love'' by [[Charles Baxter (author)|Charles Baxter]], about a group of friends living in suburban Oregon who come into contact with a free spirit who changes their outlook on life; [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''The Guardian'' sarcastically remarked that it was great to see Freeman in a challenging role.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=October 4, 2007|title=Feast of Love|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/morganfreeman.drama|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727211003/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/morganfreeman.drama|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Freeman had a supporting part in ''[[Gone Baby Gone]]'' (2007), a mystery thriller that was also Ben Affleck's directorial debut. Adapted from the 1998 [[Gone, Baby, Gone|novel]] of the same name by [[Dennis Lehane]], Freeman plays Captain Jack Doyle of the [[Boston Police Department]]. The story and cast performances were positively received; ''Time Out'' magazine called it "flawed but impressive".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gone Baby Gone|url=https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/gone-baby-gone|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Time Out Worldwide|date=June 3, 2008 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727145013/https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/gone-baby-gone|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Afterward, he starred in [[Rob Reiner]]'s 2007 comedy ''[[The Bucket List]]'' opposite [[Jack Nicholson]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=French|first=Philip|date=February 17, 2008|title=Review: The Bucket List|language=en-GB|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/17/jacknicholson.morganfreeman|access-date=July 31, 2020|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142456/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/17/jacknicholson.morganfreeman|url-status=live}}</ref> The plot follows two [[terminally ill]] men on a road trip with a list of things to do before they die. The film grossed $175 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Bucket List|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2873722369/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727145015/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2873722369/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Nelson Mandela 1994 (2).jpg|thumb|upright|Freeman was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of [[Nelson Mandela]] (pictured)  in the film ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'' (2009)]]

In 2008, Freeman was cast in the action-thriller ''[[Wanted (2008 film)|Wanted]]'', a loose adaptation of [[Wanted (comics)|the comic book miniseries]] by [[Mark Millar]] and [[J. G. Jones]]. The plot revolves around Wesley Gibson ([[James McAvoy]]), a frustrated account manager who discovers that he is the son of a professional [[assassin]] and decides to join the Fraternity, a [[secret society]] of which Sloan (Freeman) is the leader. [[Principal photography]] took place in Chicago; co-star [[rapper]] [[Common (rapper)|Common]] remarked on the set atmosphere: "Freeman is a cool guy. He'd be walking around joking and singing and just dancing. You know, artists are free and I just felt the freedom in him."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Wilson|date=June 23, 2008|title=June 2008 {{!}} blackfilm.com {{!}} Wanted: An Exclusive Interview with Commonn|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20080620/features/commonint.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621144622/http://www.blackfilm.com/20080620/features/commonint.shtml|archive-date=June 21, 2010|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=www.blackfilm.com}}</ref> The film received generally favorable reviews; Peter Howell of ''[[Toronto Star]]'' thought it was original and one of Freeman's bolder performances to date.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Howell|first=Peter|date=June 27, 2008|title=Wanted: Bullet-bending thriller|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/06/27/wanted_bulletbending_thriller.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727180330/https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/06/27/wanted_bulletbending_thriller.html|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Toronto Star|language=en}}</ref> Freeman narrated ''[[The Love Guru]]'' (2008),<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Corliss|first=Richard|date=June 19, 2008|title=Love Guru: Transcendent ... Not!|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1816243,00.html|access-date=November 11, 2020|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142456/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1816243,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> before appearing in ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (2008), the second installment of Christopher Nolan's ''Dark Knight Trilogy'', in which he reprised his role as Lucius Fox.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alexander|first=Bryan|date=August 26, 2016|title=Morgan Freeman surprised by Batman announcement|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/08/26/morgan-freeman-ben-affleck-batman/2701291/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142509/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/08/26/morgan-freeman-ben-affleck-batman/2701291/|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman returned to Broadway in 2008 after an eighteen-year absence to co-star with [[Frances McDormand]] and [[Peter Gallagher]] in [[Clifford Odets]]' play, ''[[The Country Girl (1950 play)|The Country Girl]]'', directed by [[Mike Nichols]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=The Country Girl|title=The Country Girl – Broadway Play – 2008 Revival {{!}} IBDB|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-country-girl-470352|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Internet Broadway Database|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142533/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-country-girl-470352|url-status=live}}</ref>

Freeman continued to accept roles in a diverse range of genres. In 2009, Freeman starred opposite [[Antonio Banderas]] in the heist movie ''[[Thick as Thieves (2009 film)|Thick as Thieves]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thick as Thieves (The Code) (2009)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/code|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=June 23, 2009 |language=en|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402032752/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/code|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, he collaborated with [[Christopher Walken]] and [[William H. Macy]] for the comedy ''[[The Maiden Heist]]''. For some time, Freeman expressed a desire to do a film based on [[Nelson Mandela]]. Initially, he wanted to adapt Mandela's autobiography ''[[Long Walk to Freedom]]'' into a screenplay, but plans were never finalized.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Gumbel|title=Morgan Freeman to play Mandela in new film|work=[[The Independent]]|date=September 26, 2007}}</ref> Instead, he purchased the film rights to John Carlin's book: ''Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Morgan Freeman talks about making 'Invictus' and playing Mandela|url=https://thegrio.com/2009/12/12/morgan-freeman-talks-about-making-invictus-and-playing-mandela/|website=[[TheGrio]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Studios]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711090554/https://thegrio.com/2009/12/12/morgan-freeman-talks-about-making-invictus-and-playing-mandela/|archive-date=July 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The book was adapted into a film which Clint Eastwood directed, ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'', starring Freeman as Mandela and [[Matt Damon]] as rugby team captain [[Francois Pienaar]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Keller |author-link=Bill Keller |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/books/review/Keller-t.html|title=Entering the Scrum|work=[[The New York Times Book Review]]|date=August 17, 2008|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602033505/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/books/review/Keller-t.html|archive-date=June 2, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The biographical drama received positive reviews for Freeman's performance; Roger Ebert wrote: "Freeman does a splendid job of evoking the man Nelson Mandela ... He shows him as genial, confident, calming, over what was clearly a core of tempered steel."<ref>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=December 9, 2009|title=South Africa's messiah as rugby fan|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/invictus-2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804021145/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/invictus-2009|archive-date=August 4, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=rogerebert.com}}</ref> Freeman received Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, as well as a nomination for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor]] at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2, 2010|title=Academy Award nominations|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/academy-award-nominations-1118014579/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727172154/https://variety.com/2010/film/news/academy-award-nominations-1118014579/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2010|title=67th Annual Golden Globes winners list|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/67th-annual-golden-globes-winners-list-1118013907/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727175115/https://variety.com/2010/film/news/67th-annual-golden-globes-winners-list-1118013907/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Barraclough|first=Leo|date=December 17, 2009|title=SAG nominations list|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/sag-nominations-list-1118012896/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727175111/https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/sag-nominations-list-1118012896/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> The same year he provided the narration for [[Janet Langhart]]'s ''[[Anne and Emmett]]'', a play featuring an imaginary conversation between [[Emmett Till]] and [[Anne Frank]], both killed as young teenagers because of racial persecution.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/13/AR2009061302113.html |title=Courtland Milloy on the Debut of 'Anne and Emmett' |author-link=Courtland Milloy|first=Courtland|last=Milloy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription |date=June 14, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429182011/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/13/AR2009061302113.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Morgan Freeman - Discovery Shoot (6559314831).jpg|thumb|170px|left|Freeman in 2009]]
Freeman's sole film release of 2010 was ''[[Red (2010 film)|Red]]'' with co-stars [[Bruce Willis]], [[Helen Mirren]], and [[John Malkovich]].<ref name="red">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/19/morgan-freeman-joins-the-big-screen-adaptation-of-warren-ellis%e2%80%99-red/|title=Morgan Freeman Joins The Big Screen Adaptation of Warren Ellis' Red|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|website=[[/Film]]|date=July 19, 2009|access-date=January 19, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909182923/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/19/morgan-freeman-joins-the-big-screen-adaptation-of-warren-ellis%E2%80%99-red/|archive-date=September 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Red'' is loosely adapted from the [[Limited series (comics)|comic-book series]] [[Red (WildStorm)|Red]], created by [[Warren Ellis]] and [[Cully Hamner]] and published by the [[DC Comics]] imprint [[Homage Comics|Homage]]. Freeman plays CIA [[mentor]] Joe, who helps retired fellow agent Frank (Willis) to uncover some assassins. The film was a critical and commercial success;<ref>{{Cite web|title=RED|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2104329729/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142459/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2104329729/|url-status=live}}</ref> writing for Melbourne's ''[[The Age]]'', Jim Schembri praised Freeman and the cast who "bring an infectious comic energy to their roles".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schembri|first=Jim|date=October 27, 2010|title=RED|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/red-20101027-173ci.html|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Age|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605123750/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/red-20101027-173ci.html|archive-date=June 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Besides film, Freeman worked on other projects. In January 2010, he replaced [[Walter Cronkite]] as the voiceover introduction to the ''[[CBS Evening News]]'' presented by [[Katie Couric]].<ref name="news">{{cite news|date=January 5, 2010|title=Freeman replaces Cronkite on CBS news|work=[[Boston Globe]]|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2010/01/05/freeman_replaces_cronkite_on_cbs_news/|access-date=January 5, 2010|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142459/https://www.boston.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> CBS gave the need for consistency in introductions for regular news broadcasts and special reports as the basis for the change.<ref name="news" /> Deborah Myers, head of [[Science Channel]], approached Freeman to be the presenter of ''[[Through the Wormhole]]'' (2010–17)''.'' She had heard that he was "really interested in space and the universe", and the pair agreed to develop the series together.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Halterman|first=Jim|date=June 9, 2010|title=Interview: "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman" Executive Producer Bernadette Mcdaid |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/interviews/2010/06/09/interview-through-the-wormhole-with-morgan-freeman-executive-producer-bernadette-mcdaid-36048/20100609_throughthewormhole/|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=The Futon Critic}}</ref>

In 2011, Freeman narrated the fantasy ''[[Conan the Barbarian (2011 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' and appeared in the family drama ''[[Dolphin Tale]]'', as prosthetic specialist Dr. McCarthy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trumbore|first=Dave|date=September 11, 2014|title=Morgan Freeman Talks Dolphin Tale 2, Returning to Play the Snarky Dr. McCarthy, Reuniting with Winter, and Comments on the Late Nelson Mandela|url=https://collider.com/morgan-freeman-dolphin-tale-2-interview/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Collider|language=en-US}}</ref> Returning to theater in 2011, Freeman was featured with [[John Lithgow]] in the Broadway debut of [[Dustin Lance Black]]'s play, ''[[8 (play)|8]]'', a staged reenactment of ''[[Perry v. Brown]]'', the federal trial that overturned California's [[Proposition 8]] ban on [[Same-sex marriage in California|same-sex marriage]]. Freeman played Attorney [[David Boies]].<ref name="8 the play">{{cite news|first=Debra|last=Cassens Weiss|title=Proposition 8 Play Features Morgan Freeman and John Lithgow as Litigators Boies and Olson|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/proposition_8_play_features_morgan_freeman_and_john_lithgow_as_litigators_b/|work=[[ABA Journal]]|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=March 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229075457/http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/proposition_8_play_features_morgan_freeman_and_john_lithgow_as_litigators_b|archive-date=December 29, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The production was held at the [[Eugene O'Neill Theatre]] in New York City to raise money for the [[American Foundation for Equal Rights]].<ref name="8 play video">{{cite web|title='8': A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|website=YouTube|publisher=American Foundation for Equal Rights|date=March 4, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315020450/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Gray|title=YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|work=[[Pink News]]|location=London, England|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304005919/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|archive-date=March 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman had a lead role in the 2012 drama ''[[The Magic of Belle Isle]]'', as an alcoholic novelist trying to write again. The film fared poorly with critics, gaining only a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_magic_of_belle_isle|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=July 6, 2012 |language=en|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506220845/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_magic_of_belle_isle|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Lastly in 2012, Freeman reprised his role as Lucius Fox for the third time in ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carlston|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2012|title='Dark Knight Rises' Star Morgan Freeman Sounds Off on Pot Legalization, Gay Marriage|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-morgan-freeman-351761|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122012831/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-morgan-freeman-351761|archive-date=January 22, 2015|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref>

A number of box office hits were released in 2013. Freeman appeared in the action-thriller ''[[Olympus Has Fallen]]'', the first installment in what would become the [[Has Fallen|''Has Fallen'' film series]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olympus Has Fallen|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2302755/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> he portrays [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] Allan Trumbull. The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' critic gave ''Olympus Has Fallen'' 3 out of 4 stars and opined that Freeman gave an amicable supporting performance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|date=March 21, 2013|title='Olympus Has Fallen' review: Satisfying|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Olympus-Has-Fallen-review-Satisfying-4373617.php|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=SFGate|language=en-US}}</ref> He then starred in the science fiction drama ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]'', with co-star [[Tom Cruise]], as veteran soldier Malcolm Beech,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oblivion|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1483013/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142819/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1483013/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> and appeared in the thriller ''[[Now You See Me (film)|Now You See Me]]'', as an ex-magician.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Now You See Me|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1670345/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228210844/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1670345/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|archive-date=February 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Lastly, he played a retiree in ''[[Last Vegas]]'', with co-stars [[Michael Douglas]], [[Robert De Niro]], [[Kevin Kline]], and [[Mary Steenburgen]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Last Vegas|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1204975/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142817/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1204975/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Filmed in [[Las Vegas]] and [[Atlanta]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Christine|first=Bord|date=November 28, 2012|title='Last Vegas' looking for Extras in Atlanta|url=https://onlocationvacations.com/2012/11/28/last-vegas-looking-for-extras-in-atlanta/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=On Location Vacations|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142822/https://onlocationvacations.com/2012/11/28/last-vegas-looking-for-extras-in-atlanta/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Last Vegas'' was praised for its cast's chemistry, and one critic thought Freeman brought the most amusement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bowles|first=Scott|date=October 31, 2013|title='Last Vegas' can't putter past story predictability|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/10/31/last-vegas-movie-review/3322183/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142821/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/10/31/last-vegas-movie-review/3322183/|url-status=live}}</ref>