As a fitting close to Black History Month, actor Idris Elba was the featured speaker for the Lens Project’s “Artist Spotlight” series. Held at the Paul Robeson Center of Rutgers University’s Newark campus this past Thursday evening, the lecture was moderated by Ms. Baraka Sele, the current Assistant Vice President of Programming of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Black Presidents In The Movies

Idris stepped onto the stage to standing applause and an unmistakable spike in estrogen levels among the women in attendance, as they whipped out their cameras to document Hollywood’s sexiest chocolate boy wonder. Adopting an ‘Inside the Actor’s Studio’ format, Ms. Sele and Mr. Elba discussed everything from his solid middle class beginnings in East London, his upcoming projects, to the current state of black cinema in Hollywood.

TheUrbanDaily.com was on campus for Idris 101 and bring you the highlights below.

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On his most prolific role as Stringer Bell on HBO’s ‘The Wire’

“I was a huge fan of Stringer Bell being killed off right at the height of his popularity. I commend the writers for a realistic view of living a life of crime…as a drug dealer you either end up dead or in prison.”

On the Golden Globes and this year’s Oscar ‘white-out’

“Halle Berry and I were the only two black actors nominated for this year’s Golden Globes (Idris for Luther and Halle for Frankie & Alice). The Oscars aren’t designed for us…let’s focus on making more films.”

On the controversy surrounding his role as Heimdall, in the upcoming “Thor”

“It’s so ridiculous. We have a man (Thor) who has a flying hammer, and wears horns on his head and yet me being an actor of African descent playing a Norse god is unbelievable? I mean, Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor and Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsley”

Does he watch any of his films?

“I don’t watch myself. It’s excruciating”

On his decision to become an actor

“My parents were hard-working and believed in security, getting that paycheck. Paul Barber (another black British actor) came to speak at my school, and I realized ‘I could do that too.’ When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, my father said to me (at this point Idris mimics a dead-on African accent) ‘Kuna, you know actors don’t make money.’ So I got a job working at the Ford factory and after 2 years, I was like, I gotta go back to acting.” (Idris would eventually win a place in the National Youth Music Theater, thanks to a Prince’s Trust grant).

On speaking to today’s youth

“I’m just a beacon… actors and people in the film industry should speak at schools to inspire students.” Idris is the anti-crime ambassador for the Prince’s Trust grant, a U.K. based youth charity that provides workplace skills and financial support.
(Idris speaking Prince’s Trust)

On being an only child

“As an only child I had a vivid imagination. My imagination gets me in trouble, it gets me awards and it gets me paychecks”

On what role he finds most challenging

“While the U.K. is known for their drama schools, they are very expensive. I wasn’t classically trained in theater, so I have a natural fear of Shakespeare. But I’d like to tackle King Lear or Othello.”

On the Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry debate

“Can I be candid?” he asks before turning to face the audience directly. “I don’t like all of Tyler Perry’s films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for “Daddy’s Little Girls” because it portrayed a positive image of a black father. I am happy for Tyler’s success…we need Tyler Perry…by going to support his movies, we need to show economic strength. But we are also responsible for elevating film. I’m not with buffoonish characters like Madea or Big Momma.”

By the end of the lecture, it was clear that Idris Elba hasn’t been coasting on just his good looks. Thoughtful, resourceful, and humble, Idris Elba continues the legacy of strong and positive depictions of black masculinity in Hollywood.

In other news, Idris has just been cast in the, not quite Alien prequel, Ridley Scott helmed Prometheus. He joins Noomi Rapace (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Michael Fassbender (X:Men First Class) and Charlize Theron (Hancock).

And FOINE too

[Edited 3/22/11 16:52pm]

That's understandable. I always thought Madea works so much better in plays rather than the movies themselves. Madea actually does things in the plays that CANNOT be done correctly in movies....just like when she goes off and talk / sings about old school soul and funk with the audience, or about celebrity problems, or just talking about the black experience with the audience...something you dont get in the movies.

In the end I almost think that hurts the character for people who don't understand why people like Madea so much. I always ask, "have you seen any of the plays?" They usually say no.

its alright to be dignified and british....but dont fuck around and start asking for a nagga wake up call is all im sayin......

He was in a crap Channel 5 soap opera wasn't he?

SCNDLS said:

On the controversy surrounding his role as Heimdall, in the upcoming “Thor”

“It’s so ridiculous. We have a man (Thor) who has a flying hammer, and wears horns on his head and yet me being an actor of African descent playing a Norse god is unbelievable? I mean, Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor and Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsley”

He has a point, but Ghandi and Ben Kinglsey are both Indian.

Damn...I'm starting to take more and more of a liking to this man. :fansself:

I love when he talks in his American accent, how he sounds like he's from New York.

MidniteMagnet said:

SCNDLS said:

On the controversy surrounding his role as Heimdall, in the upcoming “Thor”

“It’s so ridiculous. We have a man (Thor) who has a flying hammer, and wears horns on his head and yet me being an actor of African descent playing a Norse god is unbelievable? I mean, Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor and Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsley”

He has a point, but Ghandi and Ben Kinglsey are both Indian.

That came to mind for me too, although Kingsley is half he was still an appropriate choice to play Ghandi. He would have been better off mentioning John Wayne when he played Ghengis Khan.

HotGritz said:

MidniteMagnet said:

He has a point, but Ghandi and Ben Kinglsey are both Indian.

That came to mind for me too, although Kingsley is half he was still an appropriate choice to play Ghandi. He would have been better off mentioning John Wayne when he played Ghengis Khan.

But Ghandi was a real person and Ben is/looks Indian, while Thor ain't real so why does it matter?

SCNDLS said:

HotGritz said:

That came to mind for me too, although Kingsley is half he was still an appropriate choice to play Ghandi. He would have been better off mentioning John Wayne when he played Ghengis Khan.

But Ghandi was a real person and Ben is/looks Indian, while Thor ain't real so why does it matter?

Probably because there are some people who either believe Thor was real or are so attached to european mythical gods that they can't envision anyone other than a caucasian person playing them. I bet if he was playing Zeus the reactions would be the same as they are with him playing Heimdall. It could even be about remaining true to the comic book character.

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

yall just couldnt disagree could ya...

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

Mmmm mmm mmm! Smart AND handsome??? OMG....these men exist!

myfavorite said:

yall just couldnt disagree could ya...

Whats there to disagree?

If it looks, wabbles and quaks like a duck then it sure ain't no damn rooster. Idris just mirrored what plenty of people were already seeing and saying.

SherryJackson said:

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

Mmmm mmm mmm! Smart AND handsome??? OMG....these men exist!

Yeah but where can I find them????

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

Gawd damn!!!!! Ya'll don't even know.!!!! If this man was my husband, my legs would be permanently gapped open.

illimack said:

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

Gawd damn!!!!! Ya'll don't even know.!!!! If this man was my husband, my legs would be permanently gapped open.

Girl, you ain't lyin...for Idris Elba I'd take a rope and tie my legs open to each ends of the United States baby.

Classy, handsome, well-spoken brother.

missfee said:

Damn I love that man...he's all sorts of hot chocolate for me

But I'm glad that he gave his honest opinion on the Tyler Perry situation. He could've easily vouched for him just because he was in one of his movies or to prevent ruining future opportunities/roles offered to him by Perry...but Idris kept it real.

[Edited 3/18/11 4:58am]

Yummm, dark chocolate...the best kind,

Lammastide said:

Classy, handsome, well-spoken brother.

That shit always bothers me, because whenever a Black man is "well-spoken" it's always pointed out, as if most black men AREN'T well-spoken.

SonOfSoul said:

Lammastide said:

Classy, handsome, well-spoken brother.

That shit always bothers me, because whenever a Black man is "well-spoken" it's always pointed out, as if most black men AREN'T well-spoken.

So under the same logic, if I called Idris trashy, ugly and inarticulate, you'd see it as a reflexive compliment to black men?

Point taken. But I don't subscribe to such pretext.

Lammastide said:

SonOfSoul said:

That shit always bothers me, because whenever a Black man is "well-spoken" it's always pointed out, as if most black men AREN'T well-spoken.

So under the same logic, if I called Idris trashy, ugly and inarticulate, you'd see it as a reflexive compliment to black men?

Point taken. But I don't subscribe to such pretext.

As long as you got and understood my point, it's all good. I see it all the time in regards to black men. Hell, I saw it all the time when people spoke of Obama. Agree with it or not, it happens a lot.

KidaDynamite said:

illimack said:

Gawd damn!!!!! Ya'll don't even know.!!!! If this man was my husband, my legs would be permanently gapped open.

Girl, you ain't lyin...for Idris Elba I'd take a rope and tie my legs open to each ends of the United States baby.

missfee said:

KidaDynamite said:

Girl, you ain't lyin...for Idris Elba I'd take a rope and tie my legs open to each ends of the United States baby.

@ the both of you!

Fell in love on The Wire ...the only mistake I think he made was Obsessed.

That smile...

missfee said:

KidaDynamite said:

Girl, you ain't lyin...for Idris Elba I'd take a rope and tie my legs open to each ends of the United States baby.

It's nice to know women are just as freaky as men are.

uPtoWnNY said:

missfee said:

It's nice to know women are just as freaky as men are.

And some MORE SO, especially AFTER AGE 35!

SonOfSoul said:

uPtoWnNY said:

It's nice to know women are just as freaky as men are.

And some MORE SO, especially AFTER AGE 35!