Filed under: News
Although he's already set to play a comic book character in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of 'Thor,' a Marvel Films production, British actor Idris Elba stated in a recent magazine that he may be asked to play another superhero.
In speaking with Total Film , Elba stated "I have a picture deal with them (Marvel). I can't tell you much about that, but I can tell you I'll be back," when asked whether his relationship with Marvel will extend beyond Thor.
In 'Thor,' which stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander and Anthony Hopkins, Elba has the supporting role as Heimdall, Guardian of Asgard. In the Marvel universe, Asgard is the dimension that is inhabited by the Asgardians, giants, dwarves, elves, trolls, and demons.
Considering that Heimdall is a white character in the comic book and Branagh took some heat when he cast Elba in the role, I doubt that this is the part he would be given a film to shine in on his own.
He could be in line to play a couple of characters that most people are familiar with. "I wouldn't mind having a crack at bringing Blade back, personally. But erm, there's a couple of things there that they have... Luke Cage is... very interesting.'
It would be a slap in the face to the original Blade actor, Wesley Snipes, if Elba were asked to reboot the character. Snipes may have walked away unhappy when he did the last Blade film, 'Blade: Trinity' in 2004, but the three films brought in a worldwide total of $415 million dollars for New Line Cinema.
As for Luke Cage, everyone from Tyrese Gibson, Djimon Hounsou to Michael Jai White has been mentioned in this spot for years. It's the one film that can't greenlit. At one point John Singleton was attached to direct the film, but that option faded after a few years.
Marvel Studios has hired screenwriter Rich Wilkes ('xXx') to write an live-action feature film adaptation of the comic book superhero Iron Fist, who later partnered up with Luke Cage aka Power Man. It's possible that Elba could make an appearance in that film as well.
If neither of these characters work out, there's always Black Panther. This past August, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige talked with MTV about Marvel's plans for the future, and he stated,"I think what writers Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction have done with Iron Fist lately is exciting. I think Black Panther and Wakanda has some amazing potential to be a feature film."
Time will tell if Elba will be given his own Superhero film.