Idris Elba Returning To The Marvel Universe
Is Idris Elba going to show up in the new Thor movie?
This article is more than 2 years old
When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, when is a character truly dead? Apparently, just like in the comic books, they never truly die. And perhaps this is why Idris Elba could be returning to the Marvel Universe.
As many of you who follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe know, Idris Elba made his first appearance in 2011’s Thor as the all-seeing, all-hearing guard of Asgard’s Bifrost Bridge, Heimdall. Elba would return to that role in Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, and Avengers: Infinity War. It was in Infinity War where the MCU version of Heimdall met his maker when he tangled with Thanos. It was a brief, brutal, and fatal battle that Heimdall did not win, which makes this next bit of news a bit tantalizing.
This past weekend, Thor himself Chris Hemsworth posted pictures to his Instagram from an 80’s-themed birthday party they were having Down Under. Featured in those pictures were Matt Damon and Heimdall himself, Idris Elba. Rumors have been circulating recently about Damon’s possible return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as set picture leaks (thank you, Daily Mail) have shown what appears to be two separate sets, one of which looks like a theatre and a wooden stage. This, of course, harkens back to the 2017 Thor: Ragnarok when Damon, Neill, and Chris Hemsworth’s brother Luke appeared in cameo’s with Damon portraying an Asgardian actor playing Loki, while Neill was Odin, and Hemsworth (Luke) played Thor in a play. All three could be returning for the same type of roles.
As for Idris Elba, his possible return could be much harder to explain. He could be part of a flashback scene or two, or, per another rumor, he could be part of Thor’s journey to Valhalla, where Thor is reunited with dead characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Of course, Elba would be one of those dead characters. Could Tony Stark’s snap have anything to do with it? Probably not since Heimdall was dead before Thanos’ initial snap. But it is a juicy rumor, one fueled even more by the fact that Elba has been reported to be seen hanging out with both Chris Hemsworth and Damon in Australia.
Now, to put a damper on the Idris Elba returning as Heimdall rumors, it should be noted that Elba has been in Australia the past few months filming George Miller’s new movie, Three Thousand Years of Longing. This could explain Elba’s presence at Hemsworth’s 80’s-themed bash and not because Elba is in town working on Thor: Love and Thunder. But it should also be noted that because of the COVID pandemic, the new quarantine rules across movie sets are extremely strict, so allowing Elba on the Thor set or even to be around Hemsworth and Damon, is pretty much a no-no, unless there was a reason for it. Love and Thunder seem like a great reason.
This unsubstantiated Idris Elba rumor goes along with a few others that are coming from the set of Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder. One (which we did confirm) has Brie Larson returning to her Captain Marvel role for a cameo while another, based on set photos, says that Jeff Goldblum will reprise his role as Grandmaster.
Thor: Love and Thunder will have Hemsworth back as Thor while also returning Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who is to be taking on the Thor mantle. Christian Bale joins the cast as Gorr the God Butcher and Karen Gillan and Chris Pratt return as their Guardians characters, Nebula and Peter Quill. Also returning to her duties is Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.
Thor: Love and Thunder, with a hopeful appearance by Idris Elba, is slated to hit movie theaters on May 6, 2022.
