Go back and re-read my actual comment, not the mistaken version of it you took away the first time. i made very clear to block the reading of my comment you took from it but you missed that. It's in no way aninsult against you and Idris as this response will reclarify.
I just really love Idris Elba
notice how i specifically account for that with
and i buy the independent argument for Elba in this specific role (so your argument can't default to the one i'm criticizing).
I'm making a more subtle point than you give me credit for. I'm pointing out a problematic argument which often But don't just take my view on it here's the interesting left wing cultural critic who i stole a version of the argument fromand the other link
There is no role on God's green earth that well-meaning (but quite insulting tbh) people haven't nominated Idris for..."Who can play this South London teenager called Kofi?" "..." "..." "Um, Idris Elba?"...Too fucking lazy
[note: yes, i know the argument is a bit different but it's my inspiration]
an affirmative action hire, instead of on the merits of his skill set and previous body of work.
that's exactly why the undertones are so insulting. Idris Elba doesn't need "affirmative action" style help, he's good enough to get quality jobs on his own merits. If you (not you specifically the diverse group of people saying "Idris for jobs x y and z) actually think Idris is the best person in the world for this job, cool. But the problem is why Idris. Are you saying this because of his status as the one current great black actor? Why not say Chadwick Boseman (tremendously underrated and hurt by the back patting in Hollywood centered around celebrating Selma. but that's a different argument) that role or, i don't know, a white actor who would be a better fit (because these arguments are made at least on the surface by the claim that Idris would be perfect for the role)? The insulting part comes from when it's "pick idris because if you have a pretty good black actor they must be the only person ever who could be the perfect actor for every role i could ever think of". This argument then removes the actual acting talents (and weaknesses) of specific actors and instead makes them a totem. It's by no mean the argument everyone makes but over the hundreds of "Idris for ..." arguments i've seen it's a view i'm pretty sure unfortunately exists and is stronger than i'd like.