http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/apparently-having-a-nice-back...IDRIS Elba spills on staying ridiculously active, his chemistry with Kate Winslet and how his mother keeps him grounded.
Everyone appears to have their own way of saying your first name — it’s either Eee-dris, Eye-dris, or Eh-dris. Can you clear it up for our readers once and for all?
It’s Eee-dris with a short E, not a long, drawn-out E.
You made your name in the US with The Wire. You did the same in Britain with Luther. So, an Australian TV show could be on the cards next, but our accent is notoriously hard to imitate. Have you ever tried?
Have I tried an Australian accent? Um... no! [Laughs.] I’m terrible with accents, if I’m honest. I’m terrible at doing it off the cuff. I don’t think you’d be very impressed.
Your new film The Mountain Between Us was shot in the remote Canadian wilderness. Approximately how many times did you watch The Revenant to gear up for the cold weather?
I watched it once — not in preparation. But I did think of it once I was up there.
Director Hany Abu-Assad says you and co-star Kate Winslet have incredible chemistry. Why do you think he said that — and, more importantly, do you think it beats hers and Leonardo DiCaprio’s in Titanic?
I think he said that because we really got on. We had to because of the nature of the film, of course. It was hard work. Kate’s really nice and we basically bonded very quickly, even though our characters bonded much slower. And that was helpful because we could really pull this film together and trust each other’s instincts. In answer to your second question, no. That is one of the all-time best chemistries on film, Leo and her in Titanic. So no, I don’t think it beats that.
You’ve won numerous accolades. Earlier this year, you were awarded with another — Rear of the Year. You took the gluteus maximus crown away from your Thor co-star Tom Hiddleston, and beat Prince Harry, Jamie Dornan and Harry Styles to the punch. How do you feel?
Yeah, I’m still weirded out by that, if I’m being honest. I had to look in the mirror to see what they were talking about. Truth is, what an honour, wow! What can I say? Apparently having a nice backside is a big thing.