Idris Elba is set to star in and direct new action-comedy ‘In Laws’

The “Luther” star will play a disgraced secret agent in the upcoming buddy comedy, which is expected to begin filming in 2027.

Idris Elba is preparing to flex his comedic muscles in a new project that will put him both in front of and behind the camera.

The Golden Globe-winning actor is set to star in and direct the upcoming action-comedy “In Laws,” according to an exclusive report from Deadline. The film, which is expected to begin production in Spain in March 2027, will mark Elba’s fourth feature as a director.

Elba will play Carson Hughes, a blacklisted secret agent who gets an unexpected opportunity to redeem himself. But there’s a catch. He’ll have to work alongside a younger, by-the-book rookie agent to stop a deadly plot.

As the unlikely partners race against time, their differences threaten to derail the mission. Adding to the chaos, the two discover they have a wedding neither can afford to miss, assuming they can survive working together long enough to get there.

For Elba, who has spent much of his career playing intense characters in projects ranging from “Luther” to “The Wire,” the film offers an opportunity to explore a different side of his talents. Elba will produce the film alongside Gina Carter through their production company, 22Summers.

“Gina and I are really excited to make movies that make people laugh, and there’s nothing I love more than a great buddy comedy,” Elba said according to Deadline. “It’s a genre I’ve always loved, and one we’re excited to bring our own spin to.”

Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures are also producing. Greenstein co-wrote the screenplay with brothers Eshom and Ian Nelms, based on an original script by Adrian Speckhert and Cory Hughes. Additional casting is underway.

Although audiences know Elba primarily for his acting, he’s been steadily building his directing résumé. He made his feature directorial debut with the 2018 crime drama “Yardie,” and his upcoming film “Above the Below” is scheduled for release Dec. 4.

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He’s also attached to direct an untitled Apple Original Films project featuring Wunmi Mosaku and Charlie Cox, expected in 2027.

Meanwhile, Elba and Carter’s 22Summers recently completed production on another installment of the actor’s popular “Luther” franchise for Netflix, titled “Luther: The Day Will Come.”

With “In Laws,” Elba appears ready to combine his action-star credentials with a little more laughter, and this time he’ll be calling the shots