Idris Elba
That’s what he fears the most
Idris Elba as Dr. Nate Daniels in “Beast”.
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In “Beast” Idris Elba has to fight a lion. In an interview, he talks about his biggest fear in life.
In the survival action film “Beast” (theatrical release: August 25, 2022), “Luther” star Idris Elba (49) has to fight for survival in his role as doctor Nate Daniels in the South African wilderness. With his two daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries), he is threatened by a wild lion that seems to deliberately target humans. “I was immediately enthusiastic about the combination of survival film and family drama,” says Elba in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
similarities with his role
“I’m a father myself and I empathized well with Nate. I would also do anything to protect my two children.” And the Brit has something else in common with his role. “I’ve never fled from a lion. But I’ve had to prove Nate’s courage and strength many times in my professional life. To build a career, you need a thick skin.”
After the tragic death of his wife, Nate travels with his teenage daughters to where he met their mother. Filming took place in front of the original set in South Africa. “I’ve been to the country a few times before, also for filming,” says the Brit with African roots – his father comes from Sierra Leone, his mother from Ghana. “I love it there, the landscape is beautiful. You have the mountains and at the same time the space. The people are warm, fun and full of energy.”
No lion on set
During the visit of the old friend Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley), the doctor and his daughters cannot rest, they have to defend themselves against several attacks by a bloodthirsty lion, who has survived an attack by poachers. Elba didn’t get anywhere near a real lion on the shoot, which used a lot of CGI technology. “We only used a real lion for photos and references, to see how the light hits it, for example,” explains Elba. “Otherwise no lions far and wide (laughs).”
He’s not afraid of animals at all. “I find lions especially fascinating. They are beautiful, majestic and family-oriented.” But if he’s not afraid of dangerous animals, what are his biggest fears? “That I’m not living my life,” explains the actor. “It is there to experience things, to learn and to discover places.” When it comes to learning new things, Elba, who reportedly recently withdrew himself from the running for the famous “James Bond” role, is currently pursuing a new project: “I signed up for physical education classes. I have to be able to do certain movements for a film , let’s see what happens,” says the Briton, laughing.
Not an actor, but…
The “Beast” shooting was not without danger for Elba and the crew, despite the lack of lions. “The weather can change very quickly in South Africa. One night half of our tents were blown away by a storm and the rest had to be fixed quickly. It was extreme for all of us.”
Nate’s job as a doctor was also challenging for Elba. “I’m really good with blood, but Nate has to sew up a wound in one scene, which was not easy. So it wouldn’t be for me professionally.” If he hadn’t become an actor, he could have imagined a life as a musician or teacher, reveals Elba. His children are primarily responsible for the latter career choice. “When I show them something and I see them learning, it’s a wonderful feeling.”