NEWS

Idris Elba strives to take on challenging roles

25th October 2010

(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Idris Elba likes to take on acting roles that have real significance and meaning.

The British star who shot to fame in American television series The Wire feels frustrated that some of his best performances have been in films which hardly anyone has seen.

The 38-year-old has also starred in the American series of The Office, Thor and is due to play an alcoholic warrior monk in Ghost Rider 2. Idris has admitted that he is disappointed the most important roles he has played have not been big-screen hits.

Not everything is going to be as powerful as some of the more iconic roles. I mean, my two biggest performances to date: One film is called Sometimes in April, which is a really important film about the Rwandan genocide, and people dont ever speak about that role, or that film and what it meant to the people of Rwanda, he told Entertainment Weekly. And I have a film thats out now, a small film called Legacy, but not one bit of acclaim.

Idris says difficult roles that people can identify with mean the most to him, especially if he can somehow help people through his performance. Legacy is about a soldier experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and how this affects his life and family after he has returned from conflict, which the actor sees as having real societal merit.

Im so proud of it, because we made it for no money, he said. But Im also proud of it because it actually does resonate for people who have someone like that in their family, someone who worked in the armed forces and the person that left and the soldier that came back are different. I get criticised for taking roles in films like Ghost Rider 2, but if you look at my rsum, Ive mixed it up as much as I can.

Idris went on to discuss his Hollywood idols and revealed the actor he would most like to work with.

Ive been a big fan of Mr. De Niro for a long time, and it would be an honour to work with him, Idris gushed. Id love to work with Judd Apatow, because I think hes hilarious and Ive loved his work. (C) Cover Media

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