Lost my respect for him.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

In my opinion, playing Mandela would be infinitely better than some Thor character.

If you don't see this, then you obviously don't know anything about Mandela.

I think it's great that he got the chance to portray a real life influential person. And, while getting to play make believe with Thor might be fun, it could never have a better emotional impact on an actor.

It seems to me that it is not that he didn't have respect for the movie or the role. I infer it as he was just tired and wanted a break after taking on 2 exhaustive roles.

He was being honest. Actors don't like every role they play, but they may not mind the movie or directors they are working with though. It's a fun movie, but after coming back from making a serious movie to a fantasy it must jolt your mind/senses a little bit in the wrong way.

can't outrun your own shadow

I'm sure you complain at work like everyone else. This is no different. I'm sure he's gracious to be working but it's simply not the kind of work he wants to do. There's nothing wrong with that.

Agreed, absolutely.

Are you a Marvel fanboy? You know, there's more to movies than just superhero films.

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what people post, I just watch their avatars.

As I wrote in the beginning, I can understand the role transition. From doing Mandela then to to fantasy. For normal people, it's the same feeling as if you've gone through a tragedy so how can you suddenly attend a party. Something like that.

He's entitled to his opinion...but he shouldn't have bashed the character.

I live in a third world country. Everyday is suffering and survival, yet we make the most of it. I am not a Marvel fan but I am a fan of how Hollywood now gives some respect to "nerdy" genres. Being in a third world country, fantasy and shows are some of the best escapes to reality, besides making some people dream of a better life or becoming a part of the Hollywood world someday. I noticed long ago that Americans don't really get surprised by anything easily, since there's always something new and shocking so that paves the way to not appreciating anything. There's no respect for anything other than one's rights. There's always something to hate about.

Now, for us, whose culture have been forcefully changed by America's influences, we really appreciate the good things you have to offer. It's already bad enough that if you are tagged as a nerd, you get branded as weird. But because of the people who pushed Hollywood to take fantasy seriously, we, the nerds and "weirdos", are finally accepted into society. We can now talk about fandoms and hobbies freely. A lot of people have sacrificed to get the mainstream to accept geek things as normal. There's still a long way to go, but most people might agree that the Marvel movies appeal to the masses all over the world.

I don't look like the stereotypical geek like those pictured there and most of the geek here look normal, but still, it took so many years for people to accept these things are normal.

So, living in a third world country, where geek things aren't that accepted, and all the other reasons, for Idris Elba to bash the character and movie, it made me feel like the Marvel movies are ridiculous. What more of non-geek people.

But it's great that he's entitled to his opinion knowing the history of America. On a sidenote, there really shouldn't be racism already since people there are given so much opportunities. See how good my English is, yet we can never be like you. (The problem with ours are the corrupt officials of the government pocketing the people's money that's why we stay 3rd world.)

Anyway, I hope that I was able to clearly explain some of the things behind my words. It's not just him. All over the world, I guess, when people have privileges, they forget to appreciate the things that they have. Being Mandela, I know it's hard to change roles right away, but he should have kept it to himself. But I guess, if you really don't live a hard life, it's hard to see how lucky one is. To be able to play a role in worldwide hit movie. Also, it should help to think that the movie is a performance for the audience. To transport them to world the audience doesn't normally see.

So it's not just him. I think you guys know a lot like him.

It just boils down to appreciating the luck and privileges that one has and to give the best performance to transport the audience to another world.

I don't hate him. I think he has changed already. I hope that my post will also be able to help others' perceptions.

Very well written, I like your post and totally understand what you mean.