Idris Elba to star in and direct action thriller Infernus

According to Deadline, Idris Elba is set to pull triple duty on Infernus. In addition to starring in the action thriller, Elba will also produce and direct the project for Millennium Media.

Idris Elba will star in Infernus as Donovan Kamara, “a U.N. human rights activist sent to investigate reports of refugees being illegally detained inside a U.S. black site prison. A seemingly simple task turns deadly when the world’s most dangerous inmates break free. Kamara must work to safely extricate the refugees, all while going head-to-head with a brilliant criminal mastermind.” Robert Mark Kamen wrote the screenplay based on a story by Tom Boyle. Production is expected to start in London on October 9th.

Idris Elba made his feature directorial debut with Yardie, a crime drama which debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. “I’m excited to be back in the director’s chair, partnering with Millennium Media. Infernus is a gripping thriller with a relevant and intimate human story at its core,” Elba said in a statement. “Thanks to the brilliant writing of Robert and Tom, we have some exceptional characters. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity both in front and behind the camera, filming across Europe, as well as bringing our production to Africa, which has an emerging film community that we are proud to be supporting.“

Jeffrey Greenstein, President at Millennium Media, added, “It’s with great pleasure that we have the opportunity to create an entertaining and action-packed film alongside Idris, who in addition to being incredibly talented, is such a genuine and profound individual. We look forward to delivering a high-octane popcorn film that has character and soul, as well as an underlying message about the call for higher standards for mankind.” Most of the filming on Infernus will take place in London, but the production will also shoot in Ghana at the new TD Akuna Studios which was developed by Idris Elba, Tony Tagoe, and Danny Damah.

Idris Elba was recently seen starring in Luther: The Fallen Sun on Netflix. He’s also set to reprise his role of Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off TV series as well as Sonic the Hedgehog 3.