Idris Elba might play a “Merlin-esque” figure in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur

By Dan Selcke | July 22, 2014 | 10:02pm

Aux Features Film

Warner Bros. has started to fill out the cast of Guy Ritchie’s proposed six-film retelling of the Arthurian legend, starting with Idris Elba. The actor is currently in talks to play a “Merlin-esque figure” who trains and mentors King Arthur. There’s no confirmation on whether the character is actually Merlin, or some new character that will just leave viewers wondering where the hell Merlin is. Still, with six movies to work with, Ritchie and company should have plenty of time to figure that out as they go.

King Arthur himself has yet to be cast, with producers planning to put out offers to test for the part next week. Meanwhile, Ritchie has reportedly been meeting with other actors over the past few months, so stay tuned for announcements on who will play the Lancelot-ish and Guinevere-like characters. The first movie—which may or may not take place in a Camelot-type kingdom on an island similar to, but not exactly like Great Britain—is scheduled to debut on July 22, 2016.