If you've been going to the movies lately -- or just renting or buying DVDs -- one of the few actors that you've probably seen in many films is Idris Elba, becoming one of the hottest actors of his generation.
Since leaving his signature role as Stringer Bell in HBO's Peabody Award winning drama series 'The Wire', the British-born actor has made the most of his popularity; working with the likes of Denzel Washington, Hilary Swank, Debra Winger, and Louis Gossett, Jr., to name a few.
His newest movie is 'Prom Night,' where he plays a detective, hit theaters April 11.
Check out the trailer below, and find out what the dashing actor said to BlackVoices' very own film blogger Wilson Morales during a recent interview.
What attracted you to the film?
IE: It was just that I hadn't done a thriller like this, and I like to play different parts, and I hadn't played too many cops, and the script was decent.
From 'The Reaping' to '28 Weeks Later', this film falls within the same genre like the others. Do you have a liking to this genre?
IE: Each are different for me. They are weird subjects, and you get to play different parts.
In playing a cop, did you want to add something to the character that we hadn't seen in these types of films before?
IE: I guess that each character in a film and each cop in a film is different. I don't think that I can bring anything different from what was in the script. It's just my take on this guy and this cop.
How was it working with such a young cast?
IE: It was a good energy. I'm not too familiar with the prom world. Coming from England, we don't have prom.
Including yourself, what can you say about the growing invasion of Black British actors in American Hollywood films?
IE: I 've actually been here in the states for 10 years, but I would say that you are definitely seeing a lot more UK actors; and I think that now people are noticing that they are from the UK.
UK and America have been in collaboration for years and years.
For me personally, I was in the trenches of American actors when I was in New York in the early 90s. I never liked to say that I'm part of this invasion of UK actors. It makes it appear as if I came in from nowhere, but I think it's healthy for America and England to have a good mix of talent.
Since leaving the part of Stringer Bell, are you glad that you haven't been typecast in that same character frame?
IE: The industry has an understanding that I'm an artist who comes from England and I can play American characters. They give me scripts that are un-stereotypical just because they think that I have some unbelievable talent and can be able to transform myself into different characters, which is what an actor is supposed to do. However not all African American actors are afforded that privilege.
You have a number of films coming up with some major talent. Can you talk about doing 'The Unborn' for David Goyer?
IE: Yes, I start working on that in the next two weeks with myself, Gary Oldman, and David Goyer, and Meagan Good. I'm looking forward to it. I play a priest in the film that attempts to do an exorcism.
You also did 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' with Jill Scott. How was working on that film?
IE: It was great. It was really, really good. It had a good cast of people. We shot in in Botswana and it was the first time I had been there. It hasn't been shown here yet, but it did very well in the ratings in England. It's a very good piece of work and I'm proud of it.
What else do you have coming up for you?
IE: I have 'Obsessed', which is a remake of 'Fatal Attraction' with Beyonce and Ali Larter. I'm excited about that and it's good film with a good storyline. I'm looking forward to getting it done.
From Jill Scott to Beyonce, who's next that you are looking to work with?
IE: I think a lot of films are bringing in musicians as part of the cast. 'Cadillac Records,' which is now shooting also has a bunch of musical talent in the film as well. I think it shows that the film industry is going.
Beyonce and Jay Z
U.S. singer-actress Beyonce Knowles and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z pose for photographers before the start of the Emporio Armani's Fall/Winter 2008/09 men's collections during Milan Fashion Week, in this January 13, 2008 file photo. Jay-Z and Knowles married on April 4, 2008 in New York, People magazine reported on its Web site, citing an unidentified friend of the couple. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo/Files (ITALY)
Reuters
**FILE** U.S. entertainers Beyonce, right, and Jay-Z arrive to attend the Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2008-2009 men's collection, presented in Milan, Italy, in this Jan. 13, 2008 file photo. The Web sites of celebrity magazines People and Us Weekly reported the couple married and threw a lavish but small party at the apartment Friday, citing unnamed sources who are friends with the pair. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
AP
* EXCLUSIVE * .Singer Beyonce, Rapper Jay-Z and Rapper Kanye West at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. **EXCLUSIVE**.50th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Backstage and Audience.Staples Center.Los Angeles, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (15480323), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Beyonce, rapper Jay-Z and Michelle Williams during the Sony/BMG Grammy After Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 10, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Sony/BMG Grammy After Party - Inside.Beverly Hills Hotel.Beverly Hills, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479721), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Beyonce, rapper Jay-Z and Michelle Williams during the Sony/BMG Grammy After Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 10, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Sony/BMG Grammy After Party - Inside.Beverly Hills Hotel.Beverly Hills, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479717), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Beyonce, rapper Jay-Z and Michelle Williams during the Sony/BMG Grammy After Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 10, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California..Sony/BMG Grammy After Party - Inside.Beverly Hills Hotel.Beverly Hills, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479713), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
**EXCLUSIVE**.. * EXCLUSIVE * .Rapper Jay-Z, singer Beyonce and rapper Kanye West at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. **EXCLUSIVE**.50th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Backstage and Audience.Staples Center.Los Angeles, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479078), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
* EXCLUSIVE * .Singer Beyonce and rapper Jay-Z at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..50th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Backstage and Audience.Staples Center.Los Angeles, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479017), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
**EXCLUSIVE**.. * EXCLUSIVE * .Actress Solange Knowles, singer Beyonce and rapper Jay-Z at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. **EXCLUSIVE**.50th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Backstage and Audience.Staples Center.Los Angeles, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (15479015), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
**EXCLUSIVE**.. * EXCLUSIVE * .Singer Beyonce and rapper Jay-Z at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. **EXCLUSIVE**.50th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Backstage and Audience.Staples Center.Los Angeles, California United States.February 10, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (15478957), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
1. Talk about representin'! Mr. Elba has got to be one of the top actors in the filming industry today...his work is awesome. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's as physically attractive as he is talented...and that's putting it mildly.
Continued Success, Mr. Elba and God Bless!
DarkNLovely at 2:40PM on Apr 11th 2008