Idris Elba is an A - list celebrity with several renowned roles on his CV . He ’s earned a legion of loyal fan thanks to his reverberating baritone voice and his power to convincingly   play a variety of roles . The actor has made a mark in both TV and film , appear in pop television set series likeThe WireandThe Officeas well as blockbuster film in theMCU .

Related:10 Movies And video Shows Where You ’ve Seen The Cast Of Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Even though Elba has become a home name , he still hold the power to surprise his lover with the roles he chooses . Whether he ’s sound cute animated animals or embody famous historical icon , Idris Elba has portrayed some unexpected characters in his life history .

Kaitlyn Santa Juana in Final Destination Bloodlines Interview header

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022)

rooter of Elba ’s alive - activeness employment may have been surprised when the celebrated actor was cat as the interpreter of Knuckles inSonic the Hedgehog 2.However ,   he is an experienced voice actor , and his oeuvre inSonic 2demonstrates his talent and power to give life to reanimate characters .

true , the actor ’s celebrated cryptic vocalisation is unexpected coming from a relatively small echidna . Additionally , fans may miss his instinctive British emphasis , which he abandons for this character . However , Elba ’s voice suits the serious , unfearing , and substantial warrior , making him a smart and surprising choice for the function .

Idris Elba is from London , UK , a place that is not synonymous with cowboys . Many of his fans may therefore incur his function as Harp in the Netflix releaseConcrete Cowboyan irregular pick .

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

Elba shines in this story of a Philadelphia father who   repairs the relationship   with his estranged son while also instruct him about riding horses . The pic is inspired by the straight story of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club in Philadelphia and give viewers a glimpse into the seldom featured world of Black cowboys . It is an emotional story that Elba ’s fans will likely love .

Although it was pan by critic and ridicule on Twitter , Catsmay not be as bad as   people think . One thing that critics ca n’t fault about the divisive motion picture is the mould , which is full of well - known and beloved actors , let in Idris Elba .

Elba takes the part of the villain inCats , playing Macavity the Mystery Cat . While it is unmanageable to be restrain by the CGI bipedal persona excogitation of Macavity , Elba negociate to be convincingly sinister . It ’s a definite going for the actor and may be the first performance that comes to mind when think of Elba ’s most uncharacteristic persona .

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Idris Elba is no alien to big - budget action at law photographic film and has play his fair share of villain . Still , his function as the primary resister of theFast   & Furiousspinoff flickFast & Furious Presents : Hobbs & Shawmay surprisal fans of the actor ’s movie career . The film certainly surprised fans of the original dealership , since Elba ’s character ushers the motion-picture show into the realm of science fiction .

Related:10 Best Quotes From Idris Elba Characters

As Brixton , the cybernetically enhanced " Black Superman , " Elba give-up the ghost toe to toe against The Rock and comes out on top . But the biggest surprise for looker who only get it on Elba from his on - camera work comes in the film ’s soundtrack .   He is an accomplished player and DJ and   perform the birdsong " Even   If I Die " which also features Cypress Hill .

Idris Elba as Macavity, Knuckles, and Heimdall

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

MCU fans know Idris Elba well as Heimdall , Thor ’s friend and friend from theThorfilms . Heimdall is a beloved character since he and Thor shareone of the good relationship in theThortrilogy .

However , rooter who were excited to see Elba ’s name in the cast ofAvengers : Infinity Warwere   traumatise when Heimdall run into his end in the film ’s opening scene . It ’s always a surprise when film maker shoot down off an effected character , specially so early in the film . Heimdall ’s grievous death was the first of many unanticipated casualties in the   report and was an unpredictable blow to rooter of Elba ’s type .

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Star Trekfans are separate in their feelings about the reboot of the original serial with its altered timeline . Still , Star Trek Beyond , the third moving picture in this modernistic reimagining , isconsidered by some to be the most underratedStar Trekfilm .

A big part of its appeal comes from the disgraceful twist involving Idris Elba ’s fiber , the villainous Krall . Elba ’s performance is genuinely daunting , and Krall ’s grim power to fellate the life force from his victim is astonishingly dark byStar Trekstandards . The cold - blooded nature of Elba ’s character cook the reveal of his origin a real surprise to viewers .

Finding Dory (2016)

Before lending his voice to Knuckles inSonic 2 , Elba voiced Fluke , the prominent of the two rock - hogging   ocean lions in Pixar’sFinding Dory . Although the film is set in Moro Bay , California , Elba restrain his natural British accent in this performance .

Related : Idris Elba & 14 Other Black British Actors Who Could recreate The Next James Bond

Fluke   is never aside from his admirer Rudder , and the two spend most of their time chasing short Gerald away from their darling sway . In an unexpected nod to fan of Elba ’s piece of work in the coarse-grained offence seriesThe Wire , Rudder is voiced by Dominic West , who play Elba ’s resister in the show . It ’s   an   out - of - the - gamey Easter ballock in a Pixar film , but one that is sure to enrapture fans of Elba ’s work .

Knuckles in Sonic The Hedgehog 2

The Jungle Book (2016)

Disney ’s hybrid live - natural process and CGI remake ofThe Jungle Bookimpressed viewers with its naturalistic special effects . The animal characters in the film are so lifelike that they are truly horrific . This is specially true of the marred tiger Shere Khan .

Idris Elba ’s powerful voice is a meet match for the marauder . Elba forcefully communicates Khan ’s graspable hatred of humans . His performance impart a further bed of threat to an already unnerving scoundrel . witness acknowledge Shere Khan as a serious terror to Mowgli in part thanks to Elba ’s outspoken performance .

Zootopia (2016)

Idris Elba is perhaps intimately know for his use in   action mechanism   moving picture and dramas and is often cast in serious roles . Yet the actor also has a style for comedy . This makes him perfect as the apparently direct - laced Chief Bogo inZootopia .

Although Bogo issue forth off as coarse , demanding , and well irritated , his deadpan delivery of some very funny one - lining makes him a favorite among viewers . Although fans may   see Chief Bogo againin the upcomingZootopia+series , it is unclear whether Elba will reprise his role .

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (2013)

Many biopics centre on a single event in their case ’s life story . However , the sweepingMandela : Long take the air to Freedom , which is based on   Nelson Mandela ’s   autobiography ,   takes a wider survey ,   exploring Mandela ’s lifetime both before and after his 27 years in prison house .

Idris Elba gives an telling performance as Mandela and get much plaudits for his work in the moving picture . This is no small exploit considering not only the period encompass by the motion-picture show but also how well - known Mandela is . Though it is a passing from the films Elba is known - for , it showcases Elba ’s talent as an player .

Next : Most Unpopular Reddit Opinions About Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Idris Elba as Harp in Concrete Cowboy

Macavity the Mystery Cat being sneaky in Cats

Idris Elba as Brixton in Hobbes & Shaw

Idris Elba as Heimdall in Avengers: Infinity War

Idris Elba as Krall in Star Trek Beyond

Idris Elba voiced Fluke in Finding Dory

Idris Elba voiced Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (2016)

Idris Elba voiced Chief Bogo in Zootopia

Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Movies

Idris Elba