Idris Elba has revealed his plan to retire from acting. He said this during Q and A at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Wednesday.
Though his films have made over $9.8 billion at the global box office, making him one of the top 20 highest-grossing actors, he, nevertheless said in the wide-ranging interview, the 53-year-old discussed what lies in store for his career and admitted he may even go back to school as he feels like an imposter when around politicians.
Idris was at the festival in Saudi Arabia to promote his new short film Dust To Dreams, which is his second directorial project after Yardie a few years ago.
The film follows a shy young woman who inherits her late mother’s struggling Lagos nightclub, which leads to an unexpected reunion with her estranged father, played by singer Seal.
Of his plans to retire from acting, Idris said: ‘I’m hoping that my fan base as an actor isn’t mad at me, but eventually I want to transfer to be a director fully.
‘I’ve been acting for a long time. I love it still, but I think directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles and just be a part of the set in a different way. I really enjoy it.’
He continued, ‘As an actor, you get offered these incredible opportunities to sit on a stage or meet a head of state. I often feel like I am just living off my instinct rather than my knowledge.
‘There is a possibility that I may go to school and just study human science, not political science, because I think humans respond to humans regardless of whether it’s politics or sports. It’s about humans.’
