Star Trek Beyond: Idris Elba shares favorite Star Trek character

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Idris Elba joins the Star Trek franchise with Star Trek Beyond. Since this is a J.J. Abrams production, everything about Elba’s role has been shrouded in mystery – to the point where Elba hesitates to even reveal his character’s name when reached by EW.

One thing Elba doesn’t hesitate about: Revealing his favorite character from the original Star Trek. “Captain Kirk!” Elba declares. “Kirk was just smooth, man. There was nothing fazing him. In times of ridiculous peril, Mister Kirk was the coolest actor on the set.” Elba had a good time acting opposite the rebooted franchise’s younger Kirk, Chris Pine. “Working with Chris was a good old laugh,” he says. “He’s a funny boy, and a wicked professional.”

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But what’s his character’s relationship like with Kirk in Beyond? “Can we say,” Elba says, a smile somehow audible over the phone, “Jaws and Dory?”

Star Trek Beyond opens July 22.