British actor Idris Elba is betting big on African cinema after teaming up with Nile Media Entertainment Group and Action Xtreme to launch a new slate of action films from West Africa.
The partnership will produce high-energy action movies inspired by African stories and talent.The team also wants to train filmmakers, actors, and production crews while building a stronger action film industry across the region.
Elba will executive produce the projects through his production company, 22Summers, alongside his producing partner Gina Carter. He will also direct one of the upcoming films.
Action filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung will direct the first movie, which is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2026. A second film will follow in early 2027.
Speaking about the partnership, Elba said the project is about growing Africa’s film industry through teamwork.
The journey continues. Strengthening the African film industry is about collaboration and shared perspectives. I am fortunate to have these partners and aim to have global success with this slate. Success breeds data and data breeds investment.
Nile Media Entertainment Group CEO Moses Babatope said the partnership is about much more than making action films.
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 added:
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.
Action Xtreme CEO Chee Keong Cheung believes the collaboration can help African action movies reach audiences around the world while staying true to their roots.
What we are building with this collaboration is not just a slate of films, but a sustainable ecosystem where African action cinema can thrive. By combining local talent with international production expertise, we want to create commercially exciting films that travel worldwide while remaining authentically rooted in Africa.
The announcement comes as African cinema continues to attract global attention.
Nollywood has expanded its international reach through streaming platforms, but action remains one of the continent’s least developed film genres.
The new partnership hopes to change that by creating movies that can compete with major productions while giving African talent a bigger place on the world stage.