Academy Award-winning actor and well-respected orator Denzel Washington will host the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway this December, concert organizers announced on Thursday.

“I am honored to attend the Nobel Peace Prize Concert this year and participate in this historic and momentous event to help spread the message of global peace,” Washington remarked in a press statement issued on Thursday.

English pop group Florence + the Machine, pianist Herbie Hancock, rocker Elvis Costello, and pop singer Colbie Caillat are among the performers tapped to take the stage at the 17th annual concert on Dec. 11.

The concert will honor an individual or organization whose work promotes world peace. This year’s recipient will be revealed on Oct. 8.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This morning, Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington stopped by The TODAY Show to talk to Matt Lauer about his new movie, The Book of Eli, which opens this Friday. In the interview, Denzel takes a moment to open up about his spiritual side — he is currently finishing up his third time of reading the Bible cover to cover — and also talk a bit about his preparation for the movie — he insisted on performing his own stunts.

Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier starred in the original 1974 comedy, which centers on two friends who lose a winning lottery ticket on a night out and set out to recover it. Will’s production company, Overlook Entertainment, picked up the remake rights to Saturday Night in 2002. The former Fresh Prince star considered teaming up with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence before settling on double Oscar winner Denzel. Poitier directed the first Saturday Night, which featured Harry Belafonte and Richard Pryor in supporting roles.

According to show producers Carole Shorenstein Hays and Scott Rudin, Fences will open in April at a theater to be announced. The play will be directed by Kenny Leon, who directed Wilson’s “Radio Golf” and “Gem of the Ocean” on Broadway.

The original 1987 production starred James Earl Jones, Mary Alice, and Courtney B. Vance. It won both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Denzel last appeared on New York’s Great White Way in the 2005 revival of “Julius Caesar,” in which he played Brutus.

Denzel Washington has given up hope that he will ever play the nation’s first Black president on the big screen – because he fears he is “too old” for the role.

The 54-year-old Oscar winner would like to play Barack Obama, 47, in a film but fears it will be many years before the president’s life is made into a movie.

He says, “When Obama’s story is ready to be told I’ll be too old to do it. And if it were made now, he has too much to do to have me asking for tips on how to play him.”

Denzel Washington on Letterman

Denzel Washington on the Today Show.

Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington are featured on this week’s cover of Parade Magazine.

Spotted At