Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/2011 Getty Images
Last fall, Idris Elba landed a big role — the lead in the rebooted Alex Cross franchise — but by February, he was off the project in favor of Tyler Perry. Now, though, Elba has nabbed someone else’s high-profile leftovers: Deadline reports that Elba has signed on to play the lead in Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi tentpole Pacific Rim, a part that had been earmarked for Tom Cruise. Last year, Angelina Jolie took over another role Cruise had been attached to with Salt; it’s good to know that when Cruise eventually passes on a film, casting directors are willing to get a little more adventurous. (Take heart, Jack Reacher fans!) [Deadline]