Idris Elba Officially Joins Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’
Guillermo Del Torohas locked in his second actor to drive a giant robot in a battle with aliens.Idris Elba, best known as Stringer Bell onThe Wireand also recently seen inThor,will now officiallyjoinCharlie HunnaminPacific Rim, the upcoming film from the director ofHellboyandPan’s Labyrinth. Elba will reportedly play a leading role as a character named Sensi in the epic battle film about humans developinggiant robots to battle alienswho invade the Earth on both sides of the Pacific.Pacific Rimis scheduled for release in 2013.Deadlinebroke the news of the casting and said that Elba’s role was originally developed for Tom Cruise, who was excited to work with Del Toro onIn the Mountains of Madnessbefore that project died and the director moved toPacific Rim. Cruise has already settled on another sci-fi starring vehicle though (Joseph Kosinski’sOblivion) leaving the role open for Elba.
Most of us have probably seen Elba inThorbut to truly understand his awesomeness, you have to see him on David Simon’sThe Wire. On the best show ever, Elba might have been its best character. Stringer Bell was the second command of a large drug running family, but in reality he was the brains behind it all. Over the course of several seasons, he played the villain brilliantly because he wasn’t really a villain. In his own mind, Bell was always just a legitimate business man. In his performance, Elba was simultaneously imposing, frightening, but also cool and collected. Say the name “Stringer Bell” to anyWirefan and you’ll hear a long explanation of his brilliance.
And now Hollywood is taking notice. Elba was up forDjango Unchained, is currently shootingPrometheuswith Ridley Scott and then he’ll move toPacific Rim. If you’d like to know more about the film, check out some ofour previous coverage.
