Idris Elba is one of the most underrated actors working today. After making his name playing Stringer Bell in The Wire, Elba has drifted around Hollywood doing great work but struggling to find a starring role on the big screen. Most of his more recognized work has been supporting acting in blockbusters, and thats exactly how Marvel has used him so far as Heimdall. But he has so much more to offer. Elba brings a natural charisma paired with a blazing intensity to every set but in the MCU he has been wasted. A man who many people think is suave enough to be the next James Bond shouldnt have less than 15 lines! If Marvel can realize what kind of talent it has the results could be awesome. However expanding Heimdalls role could prove difficult. Being relegated to such a minor character has trapped Elba in a corner, but if he ever gets out it would be a boon for fans. There are two roads Marvel could take here and either would be satisfying. They could position Heimdall as more of a supportive hero than a simple side character. Promoting him to Thor's cool calm and collected sidekick would be a major upgrade over the forced caricatured band of heroes that inhabit Asgard. The other option would be to turn Elba into a villain. This is the more likely of the two, especially considering the fact that we've already seen multiple heroes turned to the dark side. That would free Elba to unleash his incredibly fury and menace across the screen, to the delight of audiences across the globe.
