Idris Elba’s production company 22Summers, Moses Babatope’s Nile Media Entertainment Group and Chee Keong Cheung’s Action Xtreme have announced a new strategic partnership to develop and produce a slate of action films originating from across West Africa.
According to the announcement, the initiative aims “to develop and produce a slate of high-energy, commercially driven action films rooted in African stories and talent, while creating a long-term production ecosystem designed to nurture local creatives and build globally competitive genre filmmaking from the continent.” The first film is scheduled for Q4 2026, with a second to follow in Q1 2027. Elba and Gina Carter of 22Summers will executive produce, with Elba set to direct one of the films. Cheung will direct the first film and produce for Action Xtreme, while Babatope produces for Nile Motion Pictures. African distribution will be handled by Nile Entertainment.
Babatope said in a statement, “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. 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.”
Cheung added, “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. What we are building with this collaboration is not just a slate of films, but a sustainable ecosystem where African action cinema can thrive.”
Elba said of the partnership, “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.”
Carter added, “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.”
Who are the partners behind the West African action film slate?
Nile Media Entertainment Group, founded and led by Moses Babatope, is, according to the company, “one of Africa’s leading film production, distribution and exhibition companies,” operating through Nile Motion Pictures, Nile Entertainment, Nile Cinemas and Nile Studio Labs. Nile Entertainment serves as the West African theatrical distributor for Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures through its partnership with UIP.
Action Xtreme, founded by Cheung and Andreas Roald, is described as “a UK-based action film studio focused on developing and producing globally appealing genre content while supporting grassroots talent development” through production, training and mentorship.
22Summers, founded by Elba and Carter, is a production company whose credits include Elba’s directorial debut Yardie, the Lionsgate space-thriller Above the Below and the Apple TV psychological thriller Bola. The company is currently in post-production on Luther: The Day Will Come for Netflix.
When does the first film from the partnership arrive?
The first film title will be announced shortly, with a Q4 2026 release targeted. A second film follows in Q1 2027.
Featured image photo credit: Photos: YellowBellyPhoto / Jide Oketonade / Action Xtreme
Leave a Reply