Idris Elba - working on Marvel movies "is torture"

[Flint Marko]

http://screencrush.com/idris-elba-marvel-movies-torture/

Just yesterday, Joss Whedon hinted he might have to send a scolding e-mail to Idris Elba who, earlier this week, let it slip that he would be appearing in ‘Avengers 2‘ alongside Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth. But, Idris Elba just don’t care. In a new interview with The Telegraph, Elba again talked about filming ‘Avengers 2′ and said working on Marvel movies is “torture.”
Elba wasn’t specifically talking about his time on ‘Avengers 2′ in that quote, but specifically his work on ‘Thor 2′. We’ll let Elba tell the story himself:

"I’d just done eight months in South Africa [filming 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom']. I came to England and the day I came back I had to do reshoots on Thor 2. And in the actual scene my hair was different, my…[sighs]. I was like, ‘This is torture, man. I don’t want to do this.’ My agent said: ‘You have to, it’s part of the deal.’"


He elaborates on how the scene in question “ripped his heart out.”

"I’m actually falling down from a spaceship, so they had to put me in harness in this green-screen studio. And in between takes I was stuck there, fake hair stuck on to my head with glue, this f—ng helmet, while they reset. And I’m thinking: ’24 hours ago, I was Mandela’…I was literally walking in this man’s boots. [Within] six months, the crew, we were all so in love with this film we had made. I was Mandela, practically. Then there I was, in this stupid harness, with this wig and this sword and these contact lenses. It ripped my heart out."


It seems Elba doesn’t have a particular beef with Marvel, or their movies, but has developed a general distaste for how modern blockbusters are made. It does seem incongruous to go directly from playing Nelson Mandela to hanging off the side of a spaceship in a Marvel movie, but it’s a compromise a lot of actors make; the old “one for them, one for me” routine. There’s no doubt that green-screen filming can be a drag, but it’s the nature of the beast.
It’s also the nature of the Marvel contracts. If you’re wondering why Elba doesn’t just walk away, it’s because he can’t. Actors who sign for Marvel movies have notoriously lengthy contracts. Chris Evans has a six-film contract. Sebastian Stan is contracted for nine films. So, Elba may want out, but he’s at Marvel’s beck and call whenever they need him (hence the ‘Avengers 2′ cameo). Perhaps this is why Elba is blabbing about the movie in public with such frequency with the hope that the next scolding Joss Whedon e-mail comes with a pink slip.

Found this pretty interesting. Between this and him running his mouth about being in the Avengers 2, it wouldn't shock me if they recast him at some point.

 

[Brownbear]

dang just read this.. this dude needs to get out of the mcu. things will probably be more intense in Ragnarok. Might as well recast him yeah

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

http://screencrush.com/idris-elba-marvel-movies-torture/

Found this pretty interesting. Between this and him running his mouth about being in the Avengers 2, it wouldn't shock me if they recast him at some point.

I was disappointed to see him make these remarks. I was perfectly willing to suspend disbelief and accept him as portraying the "whitest" of the Norse gods and IMO he's been terrific in the role. However comments like this just don't sit well with me. It shows a lack of gratitude as well as disdain of the genre and the fans who help pay the bills so actors like him can do all "artsy" stuff that makes them happy.

Even if Idris did feel this way just button your lip and be classy about it. "Ripped his heart out"? Please. How many of us go to work every day and perhaps even do a job we hate just to support ourselves and our families? And all for a lot less money than these actors get paid.

I hope he learns to express himself better but I hope the suits don't overreact and recast him. Not only do I hate recasts, I think Elba plays a great Heimdall. And if Hopkins who is getting older doesn't want to return then that'll mean an Odin recast as well. So yeah let's not see that happen...

Actually wish Elba kept his mouth shut about everything since it's an AOU spoiler and I wish I didn't know about it.

 

[kedrell]

He'll probably die in Thor3 and that'll be his way out. It's probably one of the main reasons for doing Ragnarok in the first place, to be able to switch up the cast for the Thor franchise.

 

[Flint Marko]

I was disappointed to see him make these remarks. I was perfectly willing to suspend disbelief and accept him as portraying the "whitest" of the Norse gods and IMO he's been terrific in the role. However comments like this just don't sit well with me. It shows a lack of gratitude as well as disdain of the genre and the fans who help pay the bills so actors like him can do all "artsy" stuff that makes them happy.

Even if Idris did feel this way just button your lip and be classy about it. "Ripped his heart out"? Please. How many of us go to work every day and perhaps even do a job we hate just to support ourselves and our families? And all for a lot less money than these actors get paid.

I hope he learns to express himself better but I hope the suits don't overreact and recast him. Not only do I hate recasts, I think Elba plays a great Heimdall. And if Hopkins who is getting older doesn't want to return then that'll mean an Odin recast as well. So yeah let's not see that happen...

Actually wish Elba kept his mouth shut about everything since it's an AOU spoiler and I wish I didn't know about it.

I agree with a lot of your points here Ragnarok.
It blows my mind when actors complain in situations like this. You get paid six or seven digits to play dress up, yet something like hanging from a harness "rips your heart out"? The entitlement there is unimaginable. I wonder how he'd feel about working a 9 to 5 office job for 60 grand a year.
I also share your sentiment about his Avengers 2 spoiler. What a dumb move. He had to have known that's a huge spoiler, so for him to say it so flippantly and freely is inconsiderate not just to the company who is cutting his checks but for the fans as well.

 

[DrCosmic]

I really hate sensationalist titles... and media conjecture like this, especially when it's based on easily disproven false information like the interview that got Whedon to comment negatively occurred again after his reaction. The truth doesn't sell, so you just make stuff up and ignore any evidence to the contrary.

The dude had a rough day emotionally and he shared it. SMH.

I was disappointed to see him make these remarks. I was perfectly willing to suspend disbelief and accept him as portraying the "whitest" of the Norse gods and IMO he's been terrific in the role. However comments like this just don't sit well with me. It shows a lack of gratitude as well as disdain of the genre and the fans who help pay the bills so actors like him can do all "artsy" stuff that makes them happy.

Even if Idris did feel this way just button your lip and be classy about it. "Ripped his heart out"? Please. How many of us go to work every day and perhaps even do a job we hate just to support ourselves and our families? And all for a lot less money than these actors get paid.

I hope he learns to express himself better but I hope the suits don't overreact and recast him. Not only do I hate recasts, I think Elba plays a great Heimdall. And if Hopkins who is getting older doesn't want to return then that'll mean an Odin recast as well. So yeah let's not see that happen...

Actually wish Elba kept his mouth shut about everything since it's an AOU spoiler and I wish I didn't know about it.

How many of us leave our dream job to go work the job we hate? It's one thing if you think he should be dishonest, but the lack of empathy is kinda scary. Sometimes we think money absolves these people of being human, or duty bounds them to support the fantasy out of costume, but that's simply not how money or humanity works.

Also, Hopkins has already said "I think two is enough." in regards to any future appearances. His character being dead probably makes a recast unnecessary though.

 

[Donut]

Kill him off in Thor 3 & replace him with a character played by Tom Cruise. At least Tom Cruise loves doing action & stunts

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

The dude had a rough day emotionally and he shared it. SMH.

You get paid six or seven digits to play dress up, yet something like hanging from a harness "rips your heart out"?

This. ^

 

[MadVillainy]

I didnt read this as him dissing Marvel movies or whatever.
As DrCosmic said, he had a rough day and to do that to do a very physical scene is very tough and to him can be describe, using hyperbole, as torture.
I really don't see him as complaining about working on Marvel movies in general

This isnt like Hugo Weaving b***ing about the Transformers films, when he gets to sit in a air conditioned room all day.

 

[DrCosmic]

Wow... I understand more about society now.

You need the fantasy that money solves all problems. Anyone who doesn't support that fantasy is 'ungrateful.' Because there's no possibility someone with seven figures can be devastated emotionally.

Funny thing: most of the world's population would feel the same way about us if they heard us complain about our 1st world problems with our three (four? five?) meals, electricity and running water. They actually complain less, which makes it even more interesting that we mock those with more money for complaining more. It seems we still haven't figured out the truth of "Mo Money Mo Problems." No matter how many in pain, strung out, angry, broken celebrities we see, we still somehow think that their money fixes anything, anything at all. What a terrific fantasy, how completely bought, what a predictable set of beliefs and actions follow! No wonder our society sucks so much.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

How many of us leave our dream job to go work the job we hate? It's one thing if you think he should be dishonest, but the lack of empathy is kinda scary. Sometimes we think money absolves these people of being human, or duty bounds them to support the fantasy out of costume, but that's simply not how money or humanity works.

And how many tickets did that "dream job" sell? How about realizing that it's the other stuff that makes your dream job possible? Here's a quote I love by Denzel Washington and I try to apply it in my own life:

"Do what you gotta do so you can do what you wanna do."

Flint Marko is right. It's entitlement - plain and simple.

Also, Hopkins has already said "I think two is enough." in regards to any future appearances. His character being dead probably makes a recast unnecessary though.

It is not known whether Odin is dead. The ending was intentionally ambiguous. If they really did kill him off screen never to appear again then it was a truly awful decision. I refuse to believe that until proven otherwise.

Outside of the film here is what has been said on the matter:

Hopkins: "Maybe Odin dies, I don't know."

Feige: "Like all of our plans at Marvel Studios, we know where we would like to go if given the opportunity. We have very good ideas whether the All-Father is with us or not."

If they are adapting Simonson's Ragnarok (and I hope they are) then Odin simply must return.

 

[MadVillainy]

I mean it has to be exhausting, both emotionally and physically, from being a for abused civil rights leader and former prisoner one day to being in a harness for a good portion of the next day.

 

[Just_Human]

Poor baby

I would hang from a harness everyday for that kind of money - ok maybe not

But he really is a crybaby

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

Wow... I understand more about society now.

You need the fantasy that money solves all problems. Anyone who doesn't support that fantasy is 'ungrateful.' Because there's no possibility someone with seven figures can be devastated emotionally.

Funny thing: most of the world's population would feel the same way about us if they heard us complain about our 1st world problems with our three (four? five?) meals, electricity and running water. They actually complain less, which makes it even more interesting that we mock those with more money for complaining more. It seems we still haven't figured out the truth of "Mo Money Mo Problems." No matter how many in pain, strung out, angry, broken celebrities we see, we still somehow think that their money fixes anything, anything at all. What a terrific fantasy, how completely bought, what a predictable set of beliefs and actions follow! No wonder our society sucks so much.

Ok so now we suck because some of us can't relate to this Hollywood microcosm you describe? Since you're so concerned, maybe you can start a charity for all of the "pain, strung out, angry, broken celebrities". No one forced them to be actors. It's the life they chose.

And as far as complaining about problems - you complain to your friends - those who understand - not the world. I wouldn't expect someone from a third world country to understand my problems and would be embarrassed to describe them honestly. I'd say "Well shoot.. I have a full stomach, shoes on my feet and a roof over my head. I've got nothing to complain about." But I might tell my buddy - "God the stress on this job is killing me. I feel like I'm losing it man." And he'd say "I understand man. You're going through a lot." That's how that works.

 

[Donut]

So should we guess on how he dies in Thor 3 ?

 

[DrCosmic]

And how many tickets did that "dream job" sell? How about realizing that it's the other stuff that makes your dream job possible? Here's a quote I love by Denzel Washington and I try to apply it in my own life:

"Do what you gotta do so you can do what you wanna do."

Flint Marko is right. It's entitlement - plain and simple.

It is entitlement. Most complaints are. That doesn't make Elba's statements any more notable or ungrateful than complaining about a break up with a person, whom you are not entitled to, or complaining about lack of money, which you are also not entitled to.

It is not known whether Odin is dead. The ending was intentionally ambiguous. If they really did kill him off screen never to appear again then it was a truly awful decision. I refuse to believe that until proven otherwise.

Outside of the film here is what has been said on the matter:

Hopkins: "Maybe Odin dies, I don't know."

Feige: "Like all of our plans at Marvel Studios, we know where we would like to go if given the opportunity. We have very good ideas whether the All-Father is with us or not."

If they are adapting Simonson's Ragnarok (and I hope they are) then Odin simply must return.

It seems you left out Alan Taylor's part of that interview where he says they killed Odin, and Hopkins statement that two is enough for him. Those who want the whole story can check the following link: http://screencrush.com/thor-2-odin/

How Marvel will adapt Ragnarok remains to be seen. Simonson's Ragnarok is an IDW title, so it's unlikely that Marvel can or will adapt it, and in the case of Marvel's version of Ragnarok, I believe Odin was dead at the time and Thor had the Odinforce, though perhaps someone can correct me if they read Thor during the 2000s.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

It seems you left out Alan Taylor's part of that interview where he says they killed Odin, and Hopkins statement that two is enough for him. Those who want the whole story can check the following link: http://screencrush.com/thor-2-odin/

Yeah I left that out because I don't ascribe any weight to it. I put more stock in Feige's comments who oversees the entire MCU than a director that if rumors are to be believed will not helm another Marvel film. Besides even if Odin is dead he could simply be a prisoner of Hela perhaps as a result of a deal with Loki. The films haven't explained how the mortality of these godlike beings exactly works. It would be an awesome storyline if Thor had to venture to Hel or Niffleheim to bring his father back to battle Surtur.

How Marvel will adapt Ragnarok remains to be seen. Simonson's Ragnarok is an IDW title, so it's unlikely that Marvel can or will adapt it, and in the case of Marvel's version of Ragnarok, I believe Odin was dead at the time and Thor had the Odinforce, though perhaps someone can correct me if they read Thor during the 2000s.

My bad. I really meant to refer to Simonson's Surtur Saga from the 80's. There have been a few Ragnaroks but since the films have yet to adapt a classic Thor story from the comics and Feige wants to do for Thor what they did for the Winter Soldier - it would make sense to adapt his best storylines much like they did with Brubaker's run for Cap.

If we get a Ragnarok story that doesn't feature this iconic scene:

It will be an utter shame IMO.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

Thor fans seeing that on the big screen would be akin to Cap fans seeing this come to life:

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

What I get out of this interview is that Mandela was must've been almost an amazing expirience for the actors involed as it was for those who watched their performances and that it is hard that when you work on something for a long period of time and your emotionally invested and put all your heart and soul in it and just one day later you have to do exhausting, physically challenging work on the other side of the planet that is practically the extreme opposite of what you had done the day before without any emotional investment.
Perfectly understandable and reasonable, no use for pitchforks and torches

 

[Raiden]

What I get out of this interview is that Mandela was must've been almost an amazing expirience for the actors involed as it was for those who watched their performances and that it is hard that when you work on something for a long period of time and your emotionally invested and put all your heart and soul in it and just one day later you have to do exhausting, physically challenging work on the other side of the planet that is practically the extreme opposite of what you had done the day before without any emotional investment.
Perfectly understandable and reasonable, no use for pitchforks and torches

Even if that's true, the way Elba describes his work makes it seemed like he was working in the copper mine instead of shooting in front of the green screen. Yes, he may not like the experience, but babbling about it to the press makes him seemed like he feels the work on Thor 2 was beneath him or something. However, I hope he and Marvel will get pass this because I want him to return in Thor 3 and have a grand finale; I do not want a recast whatsoever. I also hope that he didn't leak that cameo in AOU on purpose just to piss Marvel off intentionally.

 

[See Cap Run]

It's one thing for him to complain about working on Thor 2; it makes me think less of him but I don't care that much: But for him to give us fans major spoilers about himself and Tom Hiddleston being in AOU is a *****e move to the highest degree! The Tom Hiddleston bit particularly is a major spoiler! I'm not even watching any of the trailers for AOU until after I've seen the movie.

I'm sure he must have signed some kind of confidentiality clause or the like yet for some reason it seems he can't be bothered to be slightest bit professional and honor it!

 

[Chance Jackson]

I like him but if he wants out, i can't blame him

 

[Flint Marko]

Even if that's true, the way Elba describes his work makes it seemed like he was working in the copper mine instead of shooting in front of the green screen. Yes, he may not like the experience, but babbling about it to the press makes him seemed like he feels the work on Thor 2 was beneath him or something. However, I hope he and Marvel will get pass this because I want him to return in Thor 3 and have a grand finale; I do not want a recast whatsoever. I also hope that he didn't leak that cameo in AOU on purpose just to piss Marvel off intentionally.

Exactly.
No one is saying he can't be disheartened to go back to a role he clearly isn't super passionate about, but he doesn't have to lament to the press about how it was "torture". Once again, he's making more money than you or I ever will by playing dress up for a living.

 

[Snow Queen]

It's one thing for him to complain about working on Thor 2; it makes me think less of him but I don't care that much: But for him to give us fans major spoilers about himself and Tom Hiddleston being in AOU is a *****e move to the highest degree! The Tom Hiddleston bit particularly is a major spoiler! I'm not even watching any of the trailers for AOU until after I've seen the movie.

I'm sure he must have signed some kind of confidentiality clause or the like yet for some reason it seems he can't be bothered to be slightest bit professional and honor it!

To be fair, wasn't he drunk when he said that part to someone he was drinking with? I seem to recall reading that.

 

[Destructus86]

I get it...it sounds like he just has more of a passion for traditional film making...so going from traditional film making in a strong drama to green screen and a comic book film is a huge shift to have to make...especially after the high he got from playing Mandela in a drama...