DON’T you hate it when your plans are scuppered?
There I was, about to interview one of the coolest men in the world. Idris Elba is tall, and very handsome, as well as a fantastic actor and all-round great screen presence.
With rumours that Daniel Craig might just be leaving the Bond movies soon some names are beginning to circulate to take over the role of the superspy.
Sadly, the name “Ross King” hasn’t been mentioned quite yet but Idris, star of Luther and The Wire, has been talked about as a potential 007.
I couldn’t not ask him I’m a huge James Bond fanboy. I was so obsessed with Bond as a teenager they sent me to a psychiatrist.
“You expect me to talk?” I told him.
So it was with great disappointment the PR person told me Idris, who was there to talk about his new movie Beasts Of No Nation, wouldn’t be talking about Bond at all.
Foiled again. But showing the type of initiative a secret agent would be proud of, I hatched another plan.
I sat down to talk with Idris, and he’s looking great. He’s about the size of a bulldozer but also very lean, lithe and every inch the heartthrob.
Beasts of No Nation is about child soldiers in Africa. It’s harrowing, but Idris is fantastically twisted as the charismatic general who corrupts a young boy.
Although his PR said I wasn’t allowed to talk about Bond, I thought I’d have some fun.
Idris Elba (Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images)
I immediately started: “It’s one of the most iconic roles in cinema history, and you’ll be following in some pretty big footsteps with the part.
“So let me askjust how do you feel about playing[long pause]Shere Khan.”
The voice of the villainous tiger in the upcoming live-action version of The Jungle Book is provided by Idris and you can tell why when he talks in that deep rich voice.
He had a good laugh at my question he really is a very friendly and open guy.
Beasts of No Nation is extraordinarily important in tackling such a shocking issue, and the movie hit Idris in the heartstrings.
I asked him about his young co-star, 14-year-old Abraham Attah.
“He is amazing and he just holds the camera so well,” said Idris.
“But if I’m honest, I have kids and the way we we made this filmit was all low-budget so everything you see is very real.
“When you see Abraham’s character cry, the tears are real. For me, seeing him cry or going through hardship was very difficult.
“As a dad, I just can’t watch a movie where kids are hurt or upset.”
OK, we’ve had one potential Bond but next week I’m speaking to the man himself, Daniel Craig.
Find out more next week!
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