Cinema Needs More Idris Elba

Today brought the announcement that Idris Elba might star in Star Trek 3 . As he's in early talks to take on the main villain role, he'd be positioned opposite returning stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg (who's also writing the script), Karl Urban and Anton Yelchin in their next deep-space adventure. It really doesn't matter who he'll be playing — although, I have a feeling it'll be one of the Klingons, who are rumored to be the antagonists of the film. I just want to see Elba in this movie.

The announcement made me realize that the world needs more of this talented and beautiful man. He smokes up the small screen as the tormented detective on Luther, he's imposing as the Asgardian defender Heimdall in the Avengers and Thor movies, he gave a stirring performance as Nelson Mandela in the biopic released in 2013, and, frankly, he should be a much bigger star than he is. At least, in my opinion. With the prospect of him appearing in one of the biggest sci-fi movie franchises of all time — with the exception of Star Wars, of course — it got be thinking of other franchises and films that could best use his talents.

1. James Bond

There was a rumor going around a while back that Elba was being considered to replace Daniel Craig as the new James Bond once his contract his up. Fans have been campaigning for years to get the now-42-year-old actor to play one of the most iconic movie characters of all time, but the latest string of chatter erupted after a Sony email suggesting as much as allegedly hacked. Elba has responded to the rumor with a very cheeky response on Twitter, but that doesn't mean it's not still a fantastic idea.

2. Star Wars

Elba has had a hand in a couple major movie franchises: Alien (with Prometheus) and Marvel. If the Star Trek 3 casting works out as planned, then that'd make three. But I think he could do great things as a character from Star Wars. Episode 7 has an immense cast of talented actors, from rising talent John Boyega to recent Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o to iconic star Harrison Ford. Elba would fit right in, and he could even play an alien if needed. He'll be voicing a CG character (Shere Khan) in one of the two upcoming Jungle Book movies.

3. Mission: Impossible

The cast for M:I 5 (which is officially titled M:I - Rogue Nation) is officially solidified, but if the franchise decides to continue on, I'd love to see Elba kick some ass alongside Tom Cruise. At the very least, he should take over Alec Baldwin's role. Nothing against the former 30 Rock star (I will always love you, Jack Donaghy), but if he can get a role in the M:I series, than why not Elba?

4. More Pixar Movies

Elba will finally be featured in a Pixar movie with the Finding Nemo sequel, Finding Dory . It's not clear which character he will voice, but he recorded the part with his former The Wire co-star Dominic West. It's about time the massive animation studio utilized Elba's silky baritone voice. But I know that once audiences get a listen, they'll want more.

5. Independence Day 2

Roland Emmerich is still filling up the gaps in his cast for Independence Day 2. So far, he's got Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox, Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher and Charlotte Gainsbourg, while Bill Pullman is expected to return. (No Will Smith.) To make this even better, I would like nothing more than for Elba to screen, "Cancel the invasion!," or something equally epic.

6. Green Lantern

This probably would never happen. Elba is firmly locked in a Marvel contract for the Avengers and Thor movies, and he could appear in any number of the ones coming up. But in the event he ever switched sides into the DC movie-verse, he'd be a great Green Lantern. That franchise ended as quickly as it began back when Ryan Reynolds was in the lead role, and it could use something to up the ante. Fans have already started Photoshopping his portrait into John Stewart.

7. Magic Mike XXL

...or perhaps a potential sequel to that...I'm guessing it'll be titled Magic Mike XXXL. Honestly, we just need an excuse to watch Elba strip out of his perfectly buttoned oxford shirts and to throw money at the movie screen. It's a travesty that he hasn't been cast in XXL , but that means we'll just have to convince Hollywood to make another one. (I.e. we'll buy all the movie tickets.) That way, Elba will have a chance!

Images: GeckoWinchester/Tumblr (4); MTV; Fangoria; HeathLedger/Tumblr