Despite his 'Thor' character being killed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the 'Luther' actor is open to returning the franchise as a new addition to the Wakanda story.
- Apr 19, 2024
AceShowbiz - Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have always enjoyed the sprawling, interconnected stories of their favorite heroes and villains. The possible transition of characters from one franchise to another is always a topic of excitement.
Idris Elba, known for his role as the noble Asgardian Heimdall in the Thor series and other MCU movies, has sparked a new wave of speculation and hope amongst fans regarding the future of the MCU. At the premiere of his new show "Knuckles", Elba responded to a shoutout from Lupita Nyong'o, expressing his interest in joining the cast of "Black Panther".
Elba's character Heimdall met a tragic end in "Avengers: Infinity War", heroically killed by Thanos. Despite this, Elba's enthusiasm for the MCU hasn't waned. "I would love to be in Black Panther, yeah," he told E! News. "It's an amazing cast, amazing storyline, Ryan Coogler's amazing. The whole cast is incredible."
His willingness to hop over to another corner of the MCU underlines the fluid nature of the universe Marvel has built and the opportunities it presents for actors to explore diverse roles.
Interestingly, Elba was also candid about the type of role he'd prefer, playfully questioning the pigeonholing of his characters as villains, yet also acknowledging, "But the villain would be a lot more fun."
This opens up intriguing possibilities. Given the depth of character development and narrative richness within the "Black Panther" franchise, Elba could offer a compelling new antagonist, or perhaps a complex ally, to the heroes of Wakanda.
While the idea of Marvel actors taking on multiple significant roles within the same universe is not unheard of, such transitions are rare, with most examples featuring actors in relatively minor parts. Elba's potential inclusion in a future "Black Panther" project would therefore be a notable exception, especially considering his prominent stature in the MCU through the "Thor" films.
However, fans eager to see this crossover become a reality might have to temper their expectations for now. There are currently no announced plans for a new Black Panther movie in the upcoming Phase Five or Phase Six of the MCU.
Yet, with Elba himself encouraging the move with a charismatic "Let's make it happen," the notion might not be as far-fetched as it seems. Could the halls of Asgard and the plains of Wakanda ever converge in the vast expanse of the MCU? Only time will tell.
