Riyadh – Asdaf News:
Idris Elba, an actor, says he will continue to play the tortured detective John Luther rather than James Bond.
Elba brought up the ongoing rumors that he might take over as the renowned British spy from Ian Fleming’s novels when he spoke on Tuesday (Feb. 14) at the World Government Summit in Dubai. After Daniel Craig’s death as James Bond in the 25th installment of the series, No Time To Die, those had been louder.
When asked about his impending Luther-inspired movie, Elba explicitly distanced himself from the role of MI6.
“It’s very dark,” Elba said of the series. “We’ve been working on the television show for about 10 years and so the natural ambition is to take it to the big screen, and so we’re here with the first movie.”
He added: “You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B’, but I’m not going to be that guy. I’m going to be John Luther. That’s who I am.”
On February 24, Luther: The Fallen Sun will be released in American theaters. On March 10, it will be available on Netflix. Andy Serkis and other actors from the TV show are also featured as co-stars.
Elba, 50, is renowned for playing a range of characters on television and in movies, such as Stringer Bell in the American drama series The Wire and the most recent feature Beast.
Elba talked about The Heads Of State, a forthcoming movie he’s making with American actor and wrestler John Cena, while he was on stage.
“He plays the American president. I play the British prime minister,” Elba said. “We get into a caper. I’m very excited about doing that because leadership comes in many different forms.”
Elba made an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a few weeks ago, where he and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba were honored for their efforts to improve food security in Africa. Elba has also served as an anti-crime ambassador in the UK, where he was up in east London, with his “Don’t Stab Your Future” program.
Elba urged countries to invest more in the creative sectors during his speech since they can act as an economic engine and give their youth jobs. He emphasized that innovative professions may particularly benefit African nations.
“I believe that Africa, especially as a continent, needs to hold a narrative, change a narrative” he said.
Discussing storytelling, Elba also praised Dubai for its “incredible tourism story” that it has developed over the last decades. The city-state is seeing a new real estate boom, fuelled in part by Russian cash amid Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
“I think Dubai should win an Oscar because the (place) is incredible,” Elba said to applause. “It’s a very, very good job and other countries should take note.”
