Yahoo News Idris Elba reveals why the Luther US remake never happened
Back in 2014, US television network FOX ordered a script for a Luther remake from original series creator Neil Cross – but last year, the project was abandoned.
Moonlight Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was reportedly in talks to star before the remake fell apart, but now Idris Elba – who plays John Luther in the BBC series – has suggested that difficulties with casting the lead role are a big part of why it didn't happen.
"I was involved as a producer from a consultancy point of view, to make sure that if they did do it, that it was done properly," Elba told Digital Spy and other press.
"There’s a couple of reasons [why it didn't happen]. One, if I’m really honest, was that they couldn’t find a John Luther. And two, it was really hard to find a city that felt as big as London, but also as intimate."
Elba might be irreplaceable in the role of Luther, but he insists there was never any talk of him starring in the planned US version. "Nah – there were ideas of John going to America for some of the episodes in our show, but no version of me being an American John Luther."
In March 2017, Dana Walden, Fox Television CEO, explained why the Mahershala Ali casting didn't come off. "I've seen black, male Luther. I know exactly the best version of it. I saw it with Idris," Walden said.
"That doesn't mean Mahershala wouldn't have done something really interesting and different. But it ultimately felt like a character who came from the same place, because the US version is even written similarly."
Back then, FOX briefly considered gender-swapping Luther and was in talks with Rosario Dawson to take on the title role. "That was really interesting to me, to take all of the qualities and shortcomings of that character and infuse them all into a woman," Walden said.
"We talked a lot with [Rosario] but ultimately she… wanted shorter commitments, and for broadcast [television], you still need enough episodes to have a satisfying season."
Luther returns to BBC One on New Year's Day (Tuesday, January 1) at 9pm for the first in a four-part series. The series will continue to air in the same slot from January 2-4.
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