As it stands, Black Hollywood has one more chance for a blockbuster before
summer is said and done. According to Takers star Idris Elba, his latest film has the excitement and storyline to be exactly that.
“It’s a heist film, and it’s an entertaining film and I want people to be entertained,” Elba said about Takers.
“I want people to enjoy it – to hold onto their seats and get really engaged with the characters.”
Takers opens in theatres nationwide tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 27), and all parties involved – including director John Luessenhop – are filled with excitement and anticipation.
“This film is skewed toward an urban audience, but it doesn’t look like a typical urban film – if there is such a thing,” Elba said.
“It tries to be a little bit more sophisticated. I personally think this film is a cross between Ocean’s Eleven and Heat, in that it has all this really beautiful cinematography, but it also has quite a complex storyline going on.”
The clichéd plot involves a band of criminals planning for one last job. But according to Elba, the underlying situations, contrasts and chemistry will spice up the experience for viewers.
“Hopefully we not only gave the audience something spectacular just to look at, but something for them to feel,” Elba said.
“So each one of our characters has a storyline that takes you in a certain direction, and I hope that works for the audience.”
Elba himself plays one of many featured roles as a part of the ensemble cast that also includes Michael Ealy and music stars T.I. and Chris Brown who are using Takers as a vehicle to continue their transition into film.
“T.I. and Chris Brown, although they may not have much experience, have über amounts of what we like to call star quality, which makes them stand out in their industry,” Elba said.
“I beg to ask the question, if you’re playing basketball but you’re good at baseball, are you not allowed to play in another major league? We know, at the end of the day, if you’re a good sportsman, you’re a good sportsman.”
As an actor who had to make the transition from his native U.K. to the U.S., he’s especially sympathetic to their grind to build reputations in another industry.
“I’m not one of these actors that is going to say, ‘Hey, because you haven’t had experience, I’m not going to work with you.’ I’ve worked with people who are not famous and are very, very talented and it’s because of opportunity that they’re not world-known,” Elba said.
“I am one of those actors. If it wasn’t for me knocking at the door of big actors and big directors, I would never be where I am today.”
Another valid point Elba was eager to express is the evolving landscape that seems to be moving towards ‘universal entertainment’ and out of the time when entertainers were more comfortable – and more successful – staying in their lane.
“Listen, in this day and age, the marketplace has changed, and this is a big entertainment film, designed to entertain,” Elba said.
“I think there is a unique combination of things in this film that will make audiences just enjoy it. You might know what’s going to happen at the end, but you definitely are taken on a ride with this film.”
Takers opens in theatres nationwide on August 27. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 107 minutes.
