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It was officially confirmed yesterday that British actor Idris Elba will star in a sci-fi film called Pacific Rim, which will be directed by Guillermo del Toro (Pans Labyrinth, Hellboy).

The story is set in the future at a time and place in which malevolent creatures threaten the earth, and the world has to band together to rid the planet of these menaces, using highly advanced technological weapons.

Elba will play a lead character named “Sensi,” starring alongside Son of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam.

Not much else is known about the character breakdowns and the film’s plotline at the moment; but it’s clear that Mr Elba’s stock is rising rapidly, and rightfully so (compared to some of his British actor counterparts, like Chiwetel Ejiofor). He has a hit TV show in “Luther(for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award this year), and few big-budgeted Hollywood films he’s starring in, on the horizon.

He’s co-starring in Ridley Scott’s heavily-secretive sci-fi epic, Prometheus, which is currently shooting in the UK, and has a role in the upcoming Ghost Rider sequel.

Lastly, a multi-picture deal with Marvel Studios may see him cast in a movie based on one of a few black superheros, like Luke Cage, or Black Panther.

The next two to three years should be eventful and rewarding for Mr Elba, who now seems to have come a long way from films like Daddy’s Little Girls and Obsessed. We’ll all be watching closely.

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Tambay Obenson is editor of Shadow And Act on the indieWIRE Network at blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact

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