Idris Elba is an A-list celebrity with several notable roles on his resume. He's earned a legion of loyal fans thanks to his resounding baritone voice and his ability to convincingly play a variety of roles. The actor has made a mark in both TV and film, appearing in popular TV series like The Wire and MCU.
Even though Elba has become a household name, he still retains the ability to surprise his fans with the roles he chooses. Whether he's voicing cute animated animals or embodying celebrated historical icons, Idris Elba has portrayed some unexpected characters in his career.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Fans of Elba's live-action work may have been surprised when the celebrated actor was cast as the voice of Knuckles in . However, he is an experienced voice actor, and his work in Sonic 2 demonstrates his talent and ability to give life to animated characters.
ittedly, the actor's famous deep voice is unexpected coming from a relatively small echidna. Additionally, fans may miss his natural British accent, which he abandons for this character. However, Elba's voice suits the serious, brave, and strong warrior, making him a smart and surprising choice for the role.
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Idris Elba is from London, UK, a place that is not synonymous with cowboys. Many of his fans may therefore find his role as Harp in the Netflix release Concrete Cowboy an unpredictable choice.
Elba shines in this story of a Philadelphia father who repairs the relationship with his estranged son while also teaching him about riding horses. The film is inspired by the true story of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club in Philadelphia and gives viewers a glimpse into the seldom featured world of Black cowboys. It is an emotional story that Elba's fans will likely enjoy.
Cats (2019)
Although it was panned by critics and roasted on Twitter, Cats may not be as bad as people think. One thing that critics can't fault about the divisive film is the cast, which is full of well-known and beloved actors, including Idris Elba.
Elba takes the role of the villain in Cats, playing Macavity the Mystery Cat. While it is difficult to be intimidated by the CGI bipedal character design of Macavity, Elba manages to be convincingly sinister. It's a definite departure for the actor and may be the first performance that comes to mind when thinking of Elba's most uncharacteristic roles.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
Idris Elba is no stranger to big-budget action films and has played his fair share of villains. Still, his role as the main antagonist of the Fast & Furious spinoff flick Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw may surprise fans of the actor's film career. The film certainly surprised fans of the original franchise, since Elba's character ushers the movie into the realm of science fiction.
As Brixton, the cybernetically enhanced "Black Superman," Elba goes toe to toe against The Rock and comes out on top. But the biggest surprise for viewers who only know Elba from his on-camera work comes in the film's soundtrack. He is an accomplished musician and DJ and performs the song "Even If I Die" which also features Cypress Hill.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
MCU fans know Idris Elba best as Heimdall, Thor's friend and ally from the one of the best relationships in the Thor trilogy.
However, fans who were excited to see Elba's name in the cast of Avengers: Infinity War were shocked when Heimdall met his end in the film's opening scene. It's always a surprise when filmmakers kill off an established character, especially so early in the film. Heimdall's heartbreaking death was the first of many unforeseen casualties in the story and was an unpredictable blow to fans of Elba's character.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek fans are divided in their feelings about the reboot of the original series with its altered timeline. Still, considered by some to be the most underrated Star Trek film.
A big part of its appeal comes from the shocking twist involving Idris Elba's character, the villainous Krall. Elba's performance is genuinely intimidating, and Krall's gruesome ability to suck the life force from his victims is surprisingly dark by Star Trek standards. The cold-blooded nature of Elba's character makes the reveal of his origin a real surprise to viewers.
Finding Dory (2016)
Before lending his voice to Knuckles in Sonic 2, Elba voiced Fluke, the larger of the two rock-hogging sea lions in Pixar's Finding Dory. Although the film is set in Moro Bay, California, Elba keeps his natural British accent in this performance.
Fluke is never apart from his friend Rudder, and the two spend most of their time chasing poor Gerald away from their beloved rock. In an unexpected nod to fans of Elba's work in the gritty crime series The Wire, Rudder is voiced by Dominic West, who plays Elba's adversary in the show. It's an out-of-the-blue Easter egg in a Pixar film, but one that is sure to delight fans of Elba's work.
The Jungle Book (2016)
Disney's hybrid live-action and CGI remake of The Jungle Book impressed viewers with its realistic special effects. The animal characters in the film are so lifelike that they are genuinely frightening. This is especially true of the scarred tiger Shere Khan.
Idris Elba's powerful voice is a fitting match for the predator. Elba forcefully communicates Khan's understandable hatred of humans. His performance adds a further layer of menace to an already formidable villain. Viewers acknowledge Shere Khan as a serious threat to Mowgli in part thanks to Elba's vocal performance.
Zootopia (2016)
Idris Elba is perhaps best known for his roles in action films and dramas and is often cast in serious roles. Yet the actor also has a flair for comedy. This makes him perfect as the seemingly straight-laced Chief Bogo in Zootopia.
Although Bogo comes off as harsh, demanding, and easily irritated, his deadpan delivery of some very funny one-liners makes him a favorite among viewers. Although fans may see Chief Bogo again in the Zootopia+ series, it is unclear whether Elba will reprise his role.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (2013)
Many biopics focus on a single event in their subject's life. However, the sweeping Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which is based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography, takes a wider view, exploring Mandela's life both before and after his 27 years in prison.
Idris Elba gives an impressive performance as Mandela and received much acclaim for his work in the film. This is no small feat considering not only the period covered by the movie but also how well-known Mandela is. Though it is a departure from the films Elba is known-for, it showcases Elba's talent as an actor.
