Golden Globe winner and BAFTA and Emmy nominee Idris Elba is taking on a new action-comedy project, In Laws, in which he will serve as both star and director. Production company A Higher Standard is preparing to launch worldwide sales ahead of the American Film Market.
Filming is scheduled to begin in March 2027 in Spain, with additional casting currently underway.
In Laws follows Carson Hughes (Elba), a blacklisted former secret agent who is given an unexpected opportunity to redeem himself. Forced to partner with a young, rule-following rookie, Carson must overcome their differences to prevent a deadly conspiracy. However, as the unlikely partners race against time, they discover they have more in common than they initially thought. Their mission becomes even more complicated when they find themselves needing to attend a wedding neither can afford to miss — provided they can avoid killing each other along the way.
Elba, known for his performances in Luther, Thor and Hijack, will also produce the film alongside Gina Carter through their production company, 22Summers. Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures will also serve as producers.
The project marks Elba’s fourth feature film as a director. His previous directorial work includes Yardie (2018), while his upcoming projects behind the camera include Lionsgate’s Above the Below, scheduled for release on December 4, 2026, and an untitled Apple Original Films project starring Elba, Wunmi Mosaku and Charlie Cox, expected in 2027.
A Higher Standard will oversee worldwide sales for In Laws. The screenplay is written by Jeffrey Greenstein and Eshom and Ian Nelms, based on an original script by Adrian Speckhert and Cory Hughes.
Speaking about the project, Elba expressed his excitement about returning to the comedy genre.
“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. It’s a genre I’ve always loved, and one we’re excited to bring our own spin to,” Elba said.
Greenstein also shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the long-standing conversations behind the project and Elba’s involvement both in front of and behind the camera.
“This is one of those projects where the stars have truly aligned. It’s an idea Idris and I have talked about a lot, and there’s no better setup than having him direct and star in this fun, two-hander action comedy,” Greenstein added.
A Higher Standard’s recent releases include the action thriller The Get Out, starring Russell Crowe, Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul, as well as Runner, featuring Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson. The company’s latest production to wrap is the dark thriller Sunny, starring Angelina Jolie.
Meanwhile, Elba and Carter’s 22Summers recently completed production on Luther – The Day Will Come for Netflix. The company is also developing several theatre projects and earned two Olivier Award nominations in 2025.
Elba is represented by The Artists Partnership, WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Leave a Reply