While promoting his latest film, 'Takers,' which opens on Aug. 27, British actor Idris Elba stated that he's been offered to play Alex Cross, the popular forensic psychologist in author James Patterson's best-selling thrillers.

"I have been offered to play Alex Cross and if that happens, I'm really excited about it," said Elba while speaking at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston on Aug. 9.

'Cross' will be the third Patterson novel to be turned into a movie. It's also the 12th of 16 books that Patterson has written on the character.

Oscar winner Morgan Freeman played Cross in the two previous films, 'Kiss the Girls' and 'Along Came a Spider.'

Cross is described as an African-American detective and psychologist living and working in the Southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. He works in the homicide division of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD), but eventually becomes a Senior Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). After his stint with the FBI, Alex returns to private psychology practice, but continues to consult for the MPD and the FBI as needed, ultimately rejoining the MPD as a special consultant to the Major Case Squad.

Elba, who also will be seen in the comic book adaptation of 'Thor' in 2011, recently played Detective Chief Inspector John Luther for six episodes in the British psychological crime drama television series 'Luther.'