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Idrissa Akuna Elba is one of the best English actors around today. With a career spanning over 20 years, Elba has done it all as an actor, rapper, singer, and DJ. He is known for such works as Stringer Bell in the highly acclaimed tv drama, The Wire, playing the smartest detective around in Luther, playing the all-seeing God Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while also cancelling the apocalypse. Elba continues to get better and advance his acting skills. He still has many years to go and maybe become the next James Bond.
Stringer Bell- The Wire (2002–2004)
The Wire is one of the best shows ever made. Even though it didn’t win any major awards, many critics rank it in the top three of best shows ever made. Set in the mean streets of Baltimore, Elba plays Russell “Stinger” Bell. Bell served as the second-in-command in drug kingpin Avon Barksdale’s empire. Elba was awesome as Bell. He showed a man who knew how to play the game. A man that had high level street-smarts but a business mind to maximize the organization’s profits. He was a man who saw the big picture and used any means to make it happen. He was ruthless by ordering the hits on people and saying it was just business. This role started the accent of Elba into a global star he is today.
DCI John Luther- Luther (2010-2019)
This is by far my favorite role of Elba. I have watched Luther more times than I can count and when I went to London, made sure that I stood on the bridge him, and Alice was one. Elba plays DCI John Luther who is one of the smartest inspectors in tv history. His smarts are on par with the one and only Sherlock Holmes. Wearing the iconic grey coat, red tie and grey-colored shirt, Elba is awesome as the inspector who breaks rules to solve a case. Elba shows a main that is pulled between the worlds of light and darkness who soon becomes a tragic hero.
Commandant- Beasts of No Nation (2015)
I want to say right now that Elba was ROBBED of an Academy Award nomination. He should’ve been nominated for this performance because he was excellent in this role. Playing an African warlord, the Commandant recruits child soldiers in a West African Country. Elba is commanding, charismatic and ruthless. He gives out sermon like speeches to inspire the young boys under his command. Behind his speeches lies a man who is malicious, manipulative and one that is perverted. Beasts of No Nation is not an easy watch and there are scenes that will make you want to turn away.
Robert DuBois/Bloodsport- The Suicide Squad (2021)
Playing Robert DuBois aka Bloodsport, he is a mercenary with a technologically advanced suit. DuBois was sent to prison for shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet. Elba is hilarious in this follow-up sequel to the awful Suicide Squad. What makes Elba’s performance so great is his back-and-forth banter with Peacemaker. What makes Elba truly funny is that he seems to be the only one with sense in the world of his crazy allies. Elba perfectly shows his emotions on his face or with subtle grunts while being the questioned leader of the group.
Marshal Stacker Pentecost- Pacific Rim (2013)
In Guillermo Del Toro’s kaiju-brawling adventure, when you need someone to save the world on the brink of destruction, you call upon Idris Elba. Elba plays Marshal Stacker Pentecost, the commanding officer in Pan Pacific Defense Corps and former Jaeger pilot. Elba showed Pentecost as a no-nonsense Marshall who gives rousing speeches to his soldiers. Elba showed that he was the boss in this film and let it be known that failure was not an option. Besides the monster fighting scenes, Elba is one of the best highlights in the entire film. He is a man who is canceling the apocalypse.
Shere Khan – The Jungle Book (2016)
One of the most terrifying characters in Disney history has to be Shere Khan. Shere Khan is a fearsome, Bengal tiger and there is no one better to voice the character than Elba. Elba has the voice that the tiger needed to invoke his presence but also fear amongst the other characters. Elba’s voice carried such weight that he ruled with fear for Shere Khan. Elba showed that Khan had an evil side where one minute he was calm only to strike when he wanted to. He is a tiger you shouldn’t mess with.
Nelson Mandela – Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (2013)
Nelson Mandela was and icon in the world and South Africa. Few have played the legendary figure. Elba is excellent in this film as he transformed his voice with an uncanniness to the famous leader. Elba gives an inspirational performance which starts from his early life all the way to his 27 years in prison before becoming the President of South Africa. Elba made sure to show the personal struggles that the famous leader went through.
Chief Bogo- Zootopia (2016)
Who better to voice the police chief of Zootopia than Elba. Elba voices an African buffalo who oversees the police department in this funny Pixar film. Taking place in a city where anthropomorphic mammals all coexist, Elba is hilarious as the stern police chief who is always asked for something while trying to keep the peace. Elba is hilarious with his delivery and love for Gazelle.
Rufus Buck – The Harder They Fall (2021)
This movie was great! A star-studded black cast playing cowboys. Nothing but pure black excellence in this film. Elba doesn’t say much in this film, but his character’s presence is felt throughout the film and within each scene. Elba plays Rufus, an outlaw who was just pardoned by the president. The best scene is when he questions white soldiers and then slowly walks through the train as his gang guns them all down. As Rufus, he is a man who has seen many years but is also ruthless against those who had did him wrong
Himself- Hot Ones (2019)
Elba started his own meme with this one. Appearing on Hot Ones, Elba started off strong but it was one particular wing that started to make him cough. Elba’s reaction was hilarious and a meme was born. Elba will soon live on more in meme history.
