Idris Elba, Nile Media, others Partner to Produce African Action Film Slate
Award-winning actor and filmmaker Idris Elba has partnered with Moses Babatope's Nile Media Entertainment Group and Chee Keong Cheung's Action Xtreme to develop a slate of action films from West Africa, in a collaboration aimed at boosting Africa's presence in the global action film market.
The partnership will see Elba's production company, 22Summers, work with Nile Media Entertainment Group and Action Xtreme to produce feature films inspired by African stories and talent while creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers through training, mentorship and skills development.
The collaborators said the initiative is designed to establish a sustainable production pipeline capable of delivering world-class African action films for cinema and streaming audiences worldwide.
The first project under the partnership is expected to be announced soon, with production scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2026. A second film is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
Elba and Gina Carter will serve as executive producers on the projects, while Elba is also expected to direct one of the films. Action Xtreme CEO Chee Keong Cheung will direct the first production, with Moses Babatope producing on behalf of Nile Media Entertainment Group. Nile Entertainment will oversee distribution across Africa.
Speaking on the collaboration, Babatope, Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group, described the partnership as a significant milestone in efforts to build globally competitive African cinema.
"This partnership represents a significant step in our vision of building globally competitive African cinema. Action is one of the world's most commercially powerful genres, yet Africa remains largely underrepresented in that space despite the incredible stories, talent and creative energy that exist across the continent," he said.
According to Babatope, the collaboration extends beyond producing films to building a sustainable ecosystem for African storytelling.
"What excites us most is that this is not simply about making films. It is about creating a sustainable ecosystem that combines production, talent development and distribution to give African filmmakers the opportunity to create world-class action content that can travel across borders while remaining authentically African."
He added that the partnership would combine international production expertise with local industry knowledge to create new opportunities for African filmmakers and creatives.
Cheung said his experience directing Son of the Soil in Nigeria convinced him of Africa's untapped potential in the action genre.
"Making Son of the Soil in Nigeria was an extraordinary experience and it made me appreciate the incredible depth of talent, stories and creative energy within Africa that deserves a global stage," he said.
He noted that the collaboration aims to create commercially successful action films while laying the foundation for a thriving African action film industry.
Elba described collaboration as essential to the continued growth of Africa's film sector.
"The journey continues. Strengthening the African film industry is about collaboration and shared perspectives. I am fortunate to have these partners (Action Xtreme and Nile) and aim to have global success with this slate. Success breeds data and data breeds investment," he said.
Gina Carter, Creative Director of 22Summers, said the partnership would help showcase African storytelling to global audiences through one of cinema's most popular genres.
"We're excited to be part of this slate of African action films championing bold new voices in one of our favourite genres. Africa has an incredible wealth of stories and talent, and this partnership combines our shared strengths to create commercially ambitious films with global appeal."
The partners said the collaboration reflects growing confidence in Africa as a destination for large-scale genre filmmaking, with action films offering one of the most commercially viable platforms for showcasing the continent's stories, locations and creative talent to international audiences.
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