Weeks after its initial release, Luther: The Fallen Sun is still defending its spot in the top 10 for Netflix US as well as being crowned the #1 Netflix movie on a global scale. Though the BBC series has been off the air for years, the love for John Luther lingers in audiences everywhere. Written by creator Neil Cross and directed by Jamie Payne (The Hour), The Fallen Sun opens with Luther in prison but ends up taking him all the way to Iceland.
Aside from his reliable friend DCI Martin Schenk (series regular Dermot Crowley), Luther: The Fallen Sun introduces new faces to tell its story. Andy Serkis (still best-loved for Lord of the Rings) plays the terrifying David Robey, who runs the sinister Red Bunker, while Cynthia Erivo (soon to be seen in the upcoming Wicked movie) plays DCI Odette Raine, who isn't sure she can trust Luther's methods. But once Luther is a free man saving the day once more, the question remains if the franchise will keep capitalizing on this recent success.
Screen Rant spoke to Elba himself about why Luther doesn't mention Alice in The Fallen Sun, where he hopes his no-longer-disgraced DCI goes next, and how soon fans will hear him as Knuckles once more in the Sonic-verse.
Idris Elba on Luther: The Fallen Sun
Screen Rant: I felt very cold watching some of those later scenes in this film. What was that experience like for you?
Idris Elba: It was really cold. We shot in Iceland and, at the time of year where we shot there, we got shut down a couple of times because of ice blizzards. It's pretty cold. At the same time, it's kind of cozy because you're sitting by the fire, keeping warm. But it was beautiful to shoot. You've never seen such landscape, and there was no green screen in any of this. No volume work. Those are real landscapes, as wide as the lens could take it, so it's great.
I love the dynamic that you form with DCI Raine, especially when you were both talking about who you've lost or might potentially lose. I noticed Luther brought up his wife, but Alice was not mentioned in the film. How do you think he's feeling about the potential loss of Alice?
Idris Elba: Yeah, that's a trick question. Because is she lost? Do we know? Alice is a beloved character, not only to the fans, but to John Luther himself. I don't think he's quite ready to think about the loss of Alice, because I don't think he thinks she's lost.
I also hope she is not lost, and I hope we get to see much more of the Luther franchise, whether it's in film form or more episodes. Where would you like to take him?
Idris Elba: I hope so too. I've always described Lutherland as this sort of Gotham-esque type of world. So, it could be London, and it's always been in London essentially. But I want to airlift that into another city. I want to go to Chile. I want to go to Los Angeles. Why not?
Because Luther is always going to be dark, so he's going to have a raining scene, and it's always going to be him and his coat. But I think the film opens up opportunities to change that landscape. I think we can go anywhere, and I'm really excited about doing that.
I'm also excited about how you're kicking ass in the voice-acting world with Knuckles. What can you tell us about his future?
Idris Elba: I know that they are going to make a Sonic 3, and I'm excited about doing that. But a little birdie tells me that there might be a Knuckles TV show kicking about. I don't want to confirm or deny, but you know.
Andy Serkis is of the most insane villains Luther has had to face, perhaps. What was it like playing off him?
Idris Elba: Just a joy to watch Andy Serkis create that character. Andy is not creepy at all. He's quite warm and cuddly. But his character David Robey in the Luther movie is just like, "Whoa!"
About Luther: The Fallen Sun
A serial killer terrorizes London while disgraced detective John Luther sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary.
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Luther: The Fallen Sun is currently streaming on Netflix.