Idris Elba is possibly one of the most recognisable modern-day British actors. Not content with being a world-class actor and amazing DJ, now he can add video-game actor to his impressive CV.
And the man who is touted as the next James Bond is no stranger to video games. A self-confessed gamer, Elba states that he discovered a ‘new-found appreciation’ for the medium following his latest role.
Idris Elba on Video Games and Movies
In a recent BBC interview, Elba stated that it was a ‘sign of the times’ to see actors adopting video games as a medium.
“Games and actors have always worked together but we’re seeing more notable film actors being moved into gaming.”
There have been several big names who in recent years have taken on roles that see them using their voice and appearance for video games.
Norman Reedus, Kit Harrington, Remi Malek and Samuel L. Jackson are but a fraction of the recognisable names who can count the gaming industry as part of their CV.
And Idris Elba went on to say that as an actor, the process of preparing for a role is the same as preparing for that of a video game. There is still the same character performance, but with video games, there is a larger team to work with.
“The difference with games is you definitely have to collaborate even deeper, because you’re relying on an animator and a bigger team around you.”
Related: When is Phantom Liberty Playable? – FandomWire
The actor states that he does envisage a future in which there is a hybrid of the two mediums. And who’s to say that we won’t see movies and video games merging into one amalgamated medium in the future?
“We almost have it with virtual reality. You can be in a virtual world within a movie or a game and just look around.”
Fans looking forward to picking up the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, Phantom Liberty, may be surprised to learn that this isn’t Idris Elba’s first foray into video game acting. Having previously appeared in NBA2K20 and Call of Duty, Elba is no stranger to the industry.
That didn’t stop him from calling on past experiences working with motion capture in The Jungle Book, and alongside a motion capture specialist in Andy Serkis.
With his motion capture work on Phantom Liberty, Idris Elba stated that this gave him a ‘full new appreciation of the art form’. And he explained what the process was really like.
“It’s like being a puppet master but without the strings. You’re using this whole vessel to create something that you can’t actually see. Someone else is going to do the work for you.”
And whilst the actor states he is not one to watch his performances, given how much work he has put into this game, he will be picking up and playing this game.
Given how big a gamer he is, we’re not surprised.
But what are your thoughts on the latest news for Phantom Liberty and Idris Elba? Are you excited to see the man himself as Solomon Reed in the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion? Get in touch, drop us a comment and let us know your thoughts.
Source: BBC
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