Idris Elba Couldn’t Make Appearance At Golden Globes, Discusses Making Friends With Child Actor In ‘Beasts Of No Nation’ [Video]

Idris Elba was missing from the Golden Globes 2016, although he was nominated for two awards. He would love to have been there, but his rep said it was a no go. Per doctor’s order, Idris couldn’t go to the festivities. He hurt his back, but he’ll be well enough to make it to the Screen Actors Guild awards on January 30.

Not being present didn’t stop Elba from being nominated for an award in two categories — one for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Beasts of No Nation and another for Best Actor in a TV Movie Or Limited Series for his role as Luther.

Here’s why @IdrisElba has been ordered to skip the #GoldenGlobes by doctors: https://t.co/9PTZUwKUcBpic.twitter.com/DdTgEGUOnm

— EntertainmentTonight (@etnow) January 10, 2016

In the Best Actor in a Limited TV series or movie category, Elba’s fellow nominees are David Oyelowo (Nightingale); Patrick Wilson (Fargo); Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero); and Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall), noted ET Online. Even with the competition, Idris had an excellent chance of winning, because he brings an intensity and depth to the overworked theme of a detective who lives by his own moral code. This year, Oscar Isaac took the award home for a great performance as Nick Wasicsko in Show Me a Hero.

Idris Elba’s portrayal of “Commandant” in Beasts of No Nation already has Oscar buzz surrounding it. The film, however, is not without controversy. It’s a far stretch from Luther and displays Elba’s acting range and prowess. After watching it, fans probably came away with the distinct feeling that Idris is one of the most underrated actors in the world.

Beasts of No Nation is based on the book by the same name. It is a story about a village in West Africa that is devastated by civil war. After the government fails, rebels take control. Those who can afford to leave the country do, but Agu (played by Abraham Attah), a young boy is not so fortunate and runs into the countryside, as instructed by his father. But soon he bumps into rebels and is forced to become a child soldier.

Elba, as Commandant, establishes a father-son type of relationship with Agu, but the relationship is a controlling, inordinate one. It’s easy to look at Commandant as a horrible person, but the character is complex and multi-faceted. Idris depicts Commandant in such a way that audiences can see vestiges of humanity which may, or may not, make his actions reprehensible to some.

Idris recently engaged in an interview in which he talked about bonding with child co-star Abraham over a common interest, per the Daily Mail. Elba explained that it was necessary for Abraham to “love, respect and admire” Elba as a person, in order for the Agu character to be believable in the film. He added that this respect would carry over to the big screen, allowing Agu to love Commandant, a father figure, in the same way.

Abraham, a novice, was discovered while playing soccer, by director Cary Joji Fukunaga. While on the movie set, Abraham suddenly recognized Idris Elba as the man who played Heimdall in the Thor films. This pretty much locked in the admiration factor, contributing to a solid performance as Agu.

Check out our review of BEASTS OF NO NATION, for which Idris Elba was nominated https://t.co/OLlarfnXpP

— CT Movies (@ct_movies) January 11, 2016

Idris Elba demonstrates his acting skills in Beasts of No Nation and morphs into Commandant. He didn’t win the Best Actor Golden Globe this year. Sylvester Stallone won for the iconic role of Rocky Balboa in Creed. Expect to hear and see more from Elba, the nominees, and all the winners in 2016.

[Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty]