Idris Elba, one of Hollywood’s most charismatic actors, recently made a return as the iconic DCI character Luther in Luther: The Fallen Sun, a continuation of the hit BBC One series. Elba’s character stages a prison breakout to find a cyber-killer who is terrorizing the streets of London. The movie was released on Netflix on Friday, March 10th, 2023, and became available in select cinemas on February 24th.
Elba talked about his experience working on the Luther franchise in an interview with Total Film magazine, where he emphasized the evolution of his character and the opportunity to take the character out of Luther-land and put him in different environments. In the interview, he said, “I want people to be like: ‘Ooh! Luther, the first film? Wicked.’ And to continue that. And then maybe later down the line, when I’m too old, someone else will step in to play John.”
He also highlighted “You could have Luther opening an envelope for 10 minutes and you’d still go, ‘Oh my God, what’s in the envelope?’ because he’s just that kind of character”. In addition to Elba, Dermot Crowley as Martin Schenk, and Andy Serkis, who plays the villainous tech billionaire David Robey in the movie, also appear in the movie. Cynthia Erivo appears as a rival detective and Luther’s nemesis named Odette Raine.
Elba also spoke about his inspiration for the movie, sharing how he thinks the Bond franchise is a model for the Luther franchise. He said, “It’s not a competition, but I reference Bond as a template for the type of film we’re going for. John is a leading character in a film that he’s the hero of. That’s the comparison I’m making. Some films do them well – Bond is one of them. But my ambition for it is to have that sort of scale, that reverence.”
The Luther franchise is known for its unique storytelling, thrilling plotlines, and complex characters, which have made it so successful, and this continuation maintains the franchise’s reputation. The Luther universe has expanded with the movie as it tells a story with a wider canvas and a bigger budget, allowing the team to tell the stories they have always wanted to without losing the show’s essence.
Idris Elba’s iconic role as DCI John Luther signifies a new phase for the acclaimed actor. Elba’s portrayal of Luther has always been a fan favorite, and his desire to take the character to a wider audience has culminated in this film. With his sights set on creating a franchise, Elba sees Luther as his James Bond, with future installments potentially taking the detective to new and thrilling locations.
The actor’s enthusiasm for the role is palpable, and fans can rest easy knowing that Luther is in the hands of a performer who is fully invested in the character. Luther: The Fallen Sun is not just a continuation of a beloved TV series, but also a new beginning for Idris Elba and his journey as an actor.
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