As an actor, Idris Elba manages to captivate audiences no matter the genre or medium. He can be a hero, an anti-hero, or an absolute villain, and his talent makes them all believable. His commanding physical presence and deep voice make a big impression on viewers, whether that is to thrill, frighten, or amuse.
The roles he has played range from voicing a Disney character to terrorizing people across the Old West. From blockbuster hits in the Marvel or DC franchises to acclaimed television series, Elba brings life to his roles, delivering memorable lines time after time.
Stringer Bell Schools His Crew (The Wire)
“You acting like we got a inelastic product and we don’t.”
The casting in The Wire was all-around fantastic, and one of Elba’s first and most memorable roles was the vicious and intelligent drug dealer, Stringer Bell. A complex character, Stringer was decidedly deadly, but also interested in expanding beyond the criminal world, even taking classes in economics at night school.
This wasn't a useless gesture, either, as the quote shows, because Bell didn't only read books on economics, he applied critical theory to the money-laundering operation, trying his best to educate his workers and raise everyone's overall status.
Bloodsport Bonds With His Daughter (The Suicide Squad)
“I don’t only care that you got caught, I care that you got caught for stealing something as stupid as a f*cking TV watch.”
Always one to recognize weaknesses, Amanda Waller uses the fate of his daughter to threaten Bloodsport. Waller arranges for him to speak with Tyla, and it is immediately clear that they have a strained relationship.
As they curse each other through the glass, their estrangement shows, but his anger that she has been arrested also proves that he worries about her and her future. Though it comes across as sarcastic, his words mask the truth that he is willing to obey Waller and risk his life to keep Tyla safe.
Heimdall Deals With The Undead (Thor: Ragnarok)
“Excuse me. Sorry about that. These bloody things are everywhere.”
In the first two movies, Heimdall was serious, making it clear that his duty to protect the Bifrost was his priority. But once Hela arrives, he recognizes his most important task is to keep the remaining Asgardian people safe.
His effortless dispatch of Hela’s undead soldiers illustrates his skill and commitment, while his quip tells the viewer that he is managing to keep his sense of humor and won’t be disheartened by the onslaught of zombie warriors.
Shere Khan Warns The Jungle (The Jungle Book)
“Does my face not remind you of what grown man can do?”
One of Elba’s trademarks is his deep voice, which was a perfect choice for the voice of Shere Khan in Disney's live-action remake of The Jungle Book. The CGI is well-done, and a very realistic giant tiger will always be intimidating.
However, it isn’t only the tiger’s form that makes an impression. Elba’s velvety rumble adds a dangerous tension to every scene he is in, and as smooth as his voice is, viewers understand he is equally deadly.
Rufus Buck Confronts Nat (The Harder They Fall)
“I know who you are, and I see the line that you won’t cross. See, I know what’s on the other side.”
Rufus Buck is a Wild West villain who easily ranks with any foes that Clint Eastwood ever faced. He is filled with spite and hatred and acts out violently at most any provocation.
He makes it clear that Nat doesn’t have the same level of evil inside, that Nat will not be able to match him when it comes to how horrible he is willing to be. Whether this line is meant to be a warning or only a way to antagonize Nat is ambiguous, but the threat that Rufus poses is crystal clear.
Luther Plays Hard To Get With Alice (Luther)
“One coffee does not make us friends.”
Over five seasons, fans came to love Luther’s gruff, terse approach to mainly everything. Plenty of shocking scenes kept Luther viewers tuning in, and his love/hate relationship with Alice was a key aspect of interest. Alice represents Luther’s main conflict – that he is an officer of the law, but he doesn’t want to have to obey the law when he is chasing bad guys.
Alice is free from constraints (and a conscience), and even though Luther knows it is a bad idea to have a relationship of any kind with Alice, he can’t help himself. Despite his protests, Alice is his friend, and by the end of season 3, much more.
Chief Bogo Explains Life To Judy Hopps (Zootopia)
“Life isn’t some cartoon musical where you sing a little song and all your insipid dreams magically come true.”
In sharp contrast to Judy’s perky optimism, Chief Bogo is dour, barking out orders and never mincing words. He is hesitant to allow Judy on the police force at all and doesn’t support her forays into an investigation.
This quote perfectly displays the jaded attitude of many life-long law enforcement officers, as he tries to convince Judy that her dreams of policing in Zootopia don’t match with the reality of the situation. Although Bogo may become slighter kinder by the end, this line demonstrates his core personality in only a few words.
Roland Centers Himself (The Dark Tower)
“He who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart.”
In The Dark Tower, Elba plays Roland, the gunslinger who fights to keep the universe in one piece, with his exceptional shooting skills. His character sees his work as a calling and takes it seriously.
His connection to his gun is related to his connection with his ancestors, and his pursuit of Walter is a righteous mission though dangerous. His words are a meditation, a way of centering himself before he fires, ensuring he will hit his mark and keep the universe in balance.
Bloodsport Puts Peacemaker In His Place (The Suicide Squad)
“This coming from a guy who wears a toilet seat on his head.”
Elba often plays characters who are understated, and one example of this is the constant bickering and insults that fly between Bloodsport and Peacemaker. Peacemaker’s character is prone to get the funniest lines due to his character’s lack of self-awareness, and Bloodsport is left to play the straight man or ignore Peacemaker entirely.
This line, uttered as the group prepares for Operation Harley, gives Bloodsport an opportunity to snap back at Peacemaker, vent his feelings, and reference the bizarre costume that the audience has been laughing at since Peacemaker first appeared.
Colin Is A Menace To Society (No Good Deed)
“I would have thought all those brains you’ve got, you would have figure out the game I’m playing by now.”
Colin maintains a low level of menacing tension until it finally explodes into violence. He is very convincing, a sadistic narcissist who knows how to put on a good show, and even though viewers know better, Colin’s sweet smile and non-threatening demeanor when he first meets Terry seem genuine.
However, once he has been challenged and called on his lies and suspicious behavior, Colin becomes the stuff of nightmares. His fluctuation between flirting and terrorizing creates an unpredictability that is difficult to watch, and this line perfectly illustrates his air of superiority and need for control of all situations.