Idris Elba is a UK actor that has played a lot of roles. The actor is quite humble as he recounts some of his early career choices. The actor is not ashamed to admit that one of his first roles depicted a murderer on the TV show Crimewatch. Elba explained some actors are embarrassed by their more humble beginnings. Idris Elba is not, however.
He viewed the modest role as the "first rung on a ladder." Idris Elba shot to popularity through his character Stringer Bell in ely popular crime TV show The Wire. Playing world-renowned activist Nelson Mandela in Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom impacted the actor deeply.
Elba has played villains and heroes throughout his career. The 49-year-old actor is in several franchises, too. Elba stars in both DC and Marvel cinematic universes. In 2021, in The Suicide Squad, Elba played Bloodsport. The following year he returned in the post-credit scene of Thor: Love and Thunder as Heimdall. The rumors of Elba playing the titular James Bond keep swirling around him. It's no secret that Elba is interested.
While most consider Elba's career successful, the actor doesn't get every role he desires. Recently, he admitted to basketball living legend Michael Jordan his desire to play him. However, Idris confessed that Michael Jordan gave him a firm no.
Why Idris Wanted to Play Michael Jordan?
Idris Elba said that playing Nelson Mandela affected him because Mandela reminded him of his father. He dedicated the role to his father, Winston Elba, who died in 2013. The same year, Mandela was released. Elba has shared that his father's death affected him emotionally. As a result, playing Nelson Mandela became linked to his father in the actor's mind.
It is no surprise that Elba would want to play Michael Jordan, a history-making athlete. Elba made it clear that he did want to show his athletic ability. Elba explains that his core desire for the Michael Jordan project was to show the little-known side of the basketball star. Elba says he wants to portray astuteness and his lesser-known philanthropic efforts as a business person.
Michael Jordan Is Not Ready For The Project
Very few people get to choose the actor that portrays them. Anyone lucky enough to be performed by a well-beloved and good-looking actor as Idris Elba would be honored. Michael Jordan made it clear that it was not Idris. It was him.
Michael Jordan explained that he was not ready for Idris to tell about his business life and charity work. Michael Jordan is worth $2.2 billion USD and is 59 years old. He leads and participates in several charities that serve children and families. Jordan does not do much talking about his philanthropic activities. However, what is known is that Jordan puts his money where his mouth is.
Michael Jordan famously received a $4 million paycheck for the Disney+ project The Last Dance. Jordan faced some criticism from his former teammates since he was the only earned income from the April 2020 movie. However, Jordan donated the entire amount to charity. Perhaps, Michael Jordan declined Idris Elba's offer because this part of Michael Jordan's life is not ready to be told since the former NBA star is still actively writing that part of his life. However, Jordan may reach out to Elba in the future.
What's Next For Idris Elba?
Fans have found an exciting video of audience reactions to Pierce Bronson's Bond. It is less than lucky that a young Elba would chime in on Bronson's performance as 007. However, who is to say what is in store? The 2020s have been full of surprises.
Fans are interested in if Elba will pursue the role. In August of this year, Elba announced he would not play Bond. Fans recall they have been misled only to have their wildest suspicions confirmed on the big screen. Some fans think Elba's decision to step away from the role is for the best for now. Casting controversy abounding in The Witcher, Sandman, and The Rings of Power perhaps affected Elba's decision.
We do have the Luther movie to look forward to on Netflix. Fans are very excited to pick up the story after the last season. However, Idris promises those audience members who know nothing about the titular character will receive a whole story. While Idris was excited to read the film's script but found that the actual shooting was quite "grim." Idris also is the voice of the magenta echidna Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Many fans are looking forward to that sequel also.
No matter what Idris does, fans will wait for him to grace their screens. Even though the actor is 49 years old, he remains a fan favorite. Audiences look forward to his performances and wish him a long successful career.