Idris Elba Interview
Idris Elba ('Mumbles')
Last time I talked to you, you said you and Gerry (Butler) are twins. Are you guys still twins?
Idris Elba: "Yeah, we're attached at the hip. We're sort of like we cut the ligament today, but we're attached at the hip – especially because of this film."
Tell me about this name Mumbles that you have. Guy Ritchie always gives his characters really interesting names. How did you get Mumbles?
Idris Elba: "I have no clue. I was like through the script and I was like, 'Oh, Mumbles, that's my character.' No mumbling. There was no mumbling. There was no sort of slurring. Nothing."
And it's not short for anything?
Idris Elba: "Mumble… Mumblicious? No, it's not short for anything."
What's it like on a Guy Ritchie set?
Idris Elba: "It's hard work. He shoots very quickly, very fast, and knows exactly what he wants."
And a lot of comedy, a lot of fun?
Idris Elba: "Yeah, we had a lot of fun. We had a good laughs."
A lot of outtakes?
Idris Elba: "There are some."
Any that you think we should see on the DVD?
Idris Elba: "Oh, yeah. You should see Gerry Butler dancing with Tom Hardy. Oh, yes! You might want to see that."
You're keeping super busy. You just came from a movie shoot to come here?
Idris Elba: "Yes, I'm working on a film right now called – working title - The Big Take, which is a heist film set in LA. I play this sort of leader of this slick heist gang. Matt Dillon, TI, Chris Brown, Mike Ealy, Hayden Christensen – a bunch of people."
But that's like two heist-type movies. Are you going to get stuck in that pattern?
Idris Elba: "No. I never get stuck in anything. I play a priest one day, a gangster another day, and a lovable father the next."
And what's your favorite?
Idris Elba: "Lovable father, yeah."
Really? That's more fun than playing a gangster?
Idris Elba: "All day. I love kids. Yes, yes indeed."
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