Idris Elba To Make Directorial Debut With 'Yardie'

Idris Elba is one of the hottest actors in the world right now. With the upcoming “Yardie,” Elba is going to get a chance to prove his skill as a director. Studio Canal UK has announced that Elba will be the director on the adaptation of the Victor Headley novel of the same name. No cast announcements have been made at this time, but this could be a starring vehicle for the actor himself.

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Set in 1980s London, “Yardie” follows a cocaine courier as he brings a kilo from Jamaica to London, and instead of bringing it to his employer, he decides to sell it himself. Here’s the book synopsis:

D, a courier carrying cocaine from Jamaica to London, decides to go it alone and disappears into the mean streets of Hackney carrying a kilo of white powder that his erstwhile friends are anxious to recover. But D’s treachery will never be forgotten – or forgiven.

Bronson” co-writer Brock Norman Brock will be penning the script, which promises to add some serious grit to the project, while Studio Canal is teaming with Island Records for the soundtrack, aiming to bring some authentic jams to the movie (don’t forget, Elba himself is a gigging DJ, so he knows his stuff).

Production may start by the end of the year, so keep an eye out — this could be something special. [Screen Daily]