Idris Elba Promotes ‘Star Trek Beyond’ In London

Idris Elba has been doing the promo rounds to promote Star Trek Beyond, in which he stars as new antagonist Krall.

Idris Elba In ‘Star Trek Beyond’

Elba’s Krall is an alien reptile that is intent on destroying the Federation. He’s against the idea of expanding the United Federation of Planets and so sets about ending it, and will go up against the Starship Enterprise and Captain Kirk in his efforts to do so.

“We wanted him to have a complex reason behind his bad-guy-ness,” writer Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the film, explained to The Telegraph. Director Justin Lin added, “I wanted a character that is there to deconstruct the Federation’s ideals, but to do it in a way that has a very valid philosophy.”

Elba believes that with the way Krall – whose history is explored in Star Trek Beyond – is developed, there are strong parallels to the current state of world affairs.

“There’s some history that we explore, to understand why he feels the frontier needs to push back,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “There’s definitely an opposing argument to the good that the Federation think they do. There are purists that believe in independence, and believe that we’re all made differently for a reason, and will fight tooth and nail to defend that. There’s massive relatability to modern world politics in that sense.”

Incidentally, amid his promotion of Star Trek Beyond, Elba received news that he had been nominated for an Emmy for his work in Luther.

“I am floored that I’ve been nominated but I am even more excited that Luther has been nominated as well,” Elba said in a statement about the honor. “The success of Luther is so much due to the fans and I hope they are as proud of this nomination as we are. OH BOY! What a category!”

Star Trek Beyond hits theaters July 22.