Idris Elba has finalized a deal to star in the new action film Pacific Rim. Deadline.com confirms that Elba will play the lead role of Sensi in the Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros sci-fi flick. The role was reported to be originally developed for Tom Cruise.

Elba’s name has been mentioned frequently in recent months for a slew of high profile roles. The most recent rumor placed the British actor in the running for the lead in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. However, Jamie Foxx is believed to now be taking the role after Tarantino’s attempts to cast Will Smith failed. Still, Elba has had a great year. Not only has his BBC series, Luther, kicked off another season, but he was recently seen on the big screen in Thor. Elba is currently shooting Prometheus for director Ridley Scott.

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