Better suited for Green Lantern or the Martian Manhunter?

With significant supporting roles in Prometheus, Pacific Rim, and Thor: The Dark World plus a starring role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom which is already garnering Oscar buzz, Idris Elba is making his presence known about Hollywood. Or at least, to those who weren’t already familiar with the talented Brit from his run on The Wire among a number of other television and film roles. As first reported by Variety, Elba is set to add a starring turn in the thriller Bastille Day to that list.

Bastille Day is an international spy thriller that at first blush seems to be somewhere in between The Bourne Identity and The Lives of Others by way of Munich. Bastille Day will place Elba as a U.S. agent who must make a boy “disappear” after he’s linked to the suspect of a terrorist attack in Paris. The agent later realizes the boy was innocent, and must now track down the real bad guy, who is continuing to perpetrate attacks.

The film is being produced by Anonymous Content, who may be drawing inspiration from their recent foray into the world of international intrigue with The Fifth Estate, along with Vendome Pictures (Source Code, Larry Crowne). Production could be delayed due to Elba’s ongoing commitment to the BBC series Luther, and the project still needs a director, but don’t be surprised if this one moves ahead quickly.