It's been four years since we last saw Idris Elba in the role of DCI John Luther, but fans are now gearing up to watch him reprise the character in the BBC crime drama's long-awaited movie continuation.
Ahead of Luther: The Fallen Sun's Netflix premiere this March, the actor discussed its potential to kickstart a film franchise as well as the prospect of casting a different actor in the titular role, à la James Bond.
"It’s not a competition, but I reference Bond as a template for the type of film we’re going for," he shared in a recent interview with Total Film.
Related: Idris Elba explains why he has no interest in playing James Bond
The Suicide Squad star continued: "John is a leading character in a film that he’s the hero of. That’s the comparison I’m making. Some films do them well – Bond is one of them.
"But my ambition for it is to have that sort of scale, that reverence. I want people to be like, 'Ooh! Luther, the first film? Wicked'. And to continue that.
"And then maybe later down the line, when I’m too old, someone else will step in to play John."
Related: Luther season 6 – Air date, cast, plot and everything you need to know
Previously teasing what fans can expect to see from the film – which continues on from season five's dramatic finale in which John was sent to prison – Elba told Entertainment Weekly: "He's done so much to bend the law in order to catch the bad guys that he's ended up in jail.
"So that's where we start the story. He's contemplating what he's going to do with his life."
He added: "Luther is just so haunted – that's his whole thing. Even when he's a free man, he can't help but chase it, chase the ghosts that get into his head. And I think that's what drives him in this film."
Luther: The Fallen Sun will stream on Netflix from March 2023, while all five seasons of Luther are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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