Idris Elba has portrayed many roles but his character as militia in Beasts of No Nation was by far one of the more challenging experiences he has endured. The actor tells the New York Times that fatherhood affected his attitude during filming for the Netflix film.
“There were so many dark issues explored in my character that I thought, ‘Can I really pull it across? Can I pull it off,'” the star wondered. “I’ve got children, [and] I felt very uncomfortable with being associated with a film that had a character like that,” he added. However, “I realized that my purpose in this world as an artist is to leave an impression.”
Idris told media a few months back that he did a bit of research about Hitler when preparing for his role in Beasts of No nation. “I didn’t want to specifically research these kind of men or base him on anyone at all, because that would have felt like mimicking,” the star said. “But I did look at the common denominators in dictator-type characters: What was the thread of all of these people? How are they so successful? How did Hitler manage to do what he did? I wanted to study and understand that, and it turns out that charisma and being a sociopath are interestingly linked.”
Idris Elba is the proud father of two kids. His son, Winston, will celebrate his second birthday in April while the actor’s daughter, Isan, will turn 14-years-old this year.
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