The one role Idris Elba always wanted to play: “Tell his story”
At 51, Idris Elba is an indisputable icon of British culture. Perhaps best known for his titular role in the hit BBC TV series Luther and his portrayal of drug kingpin Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell in The Wire, Elba has also enjoyed a varied career as a movie actor, starring in the zombie film sequel 28 Weeks Later and the romance comedy Daddy’s Little Girls.
Over the years, Elba has proved time and again his adaptability and versatility as an actor. 2011 marked the beginning of Elba’s foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he lent his acting chops to Thor, starring alongside Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman to bring life to the comic book character Heimdall, guardian of Asgard. More recently, Elba returned to the screen as grim-faced DCI John Luther in the film continuation of Luther, Luther: The Fallen Sun. Unfortunately, Elba felt compelled to turn down the opportunity to play James Bond last year amidst racist backlash.
Despite his diverse career and accolades, Elba wishes to add at least one more notch to his belt, and luckily, it isn’t the 007 spy. During an interview with Wilson Morales in anticipation of Thor, Elba reiterated his wish to portray iconic American basketball player Michael Jordan, stating that he wants to “tell his story.”
Later, Elba added: “Again, that’s one of those things that if it happens, it happens, but that’s an iconic figure that I’d like to take a shot at.”
Indeed, a biopic about the Chicago Bulls star seems inevitable, and it wouldn’t be Elba’s first foray into the biographical genre. In 2013, the star was nominated for a Golden Globe for his moving depiction of Nelson Mandela in the critically acclaimed Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The film traces the arc of Mandela’s life, beginning with his childhood in the rural village of Mvezo and his early experiences with the inequalities of South African society. As he becomes a young lawyer in Johannesburg, Mandela is increasingly drawn into the political struggle against the country’s system of apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination.
Elba’s portrayal of Mandela is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the film. Elba captures Mandela’s charisma, dignity, and resolve, offering a nuanced and deeply human portrayal of the leader. Rather than depicting Mandela solely as a saintly figure, Elba brings out the complexities of his character, from his fiery early years as a revolutionary to his more reflective, elder statesman persona.
In this vein, Elba has expressed a desire to bring a similarly multifaceted focus to Michael Jordan’s life, highlighting not only his legendary basketball career but also his sharp business acumen.
However, in 2022, Elba revealed that he had asked Michael Jordan if he could portray him in a film, but the response was less than encouraging. According to the Golden Globe-winning actor, the NBA champion stated that he wasn’t ready for an onscreen portrayal just yet. While it seems unlikely we’ll see Elba as Jordan anytime soon, we’re hopeful for a future collaboration between these two icons.
