If you somehow missed the “Cats” trailer from earlier today, then you probably should go check it out to remind yourself that Idris Elba, one of the best living actors, is playing a weird, evil feline in the upcoming film. And after you do that, you’ll be happy to know that Elba is moving onto less…strange musical film choices in the future, such as the upcoming “The Harder They Fall.”
According to Variety, Elba has signed on to star in the upcoming drama “The Harder They Fall” from first-time feature director Jeymes Samuel. The film finds Elba playing a convicted murderer who is released from prison becomes the target of a gang led by the son of the man that Elba killed. Jonathan Majors is set to portray Nat Love, the man who reunites with his gang so that he can take revenge on Elba’s character.
“The Harder They Fall” is directed by Samuel, who also is known by his musical stage name The Bullitts, and produced by superstar rapper Jay-Z. Previously Samuel and Jay-Z collaborated on another film project, as the two served as musical consultants for the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby.” And the report claims that “The Harder They Fall” will have a similar musical element in the film as ‘Gatsby’ has.
No release date is set for “The Harder They Fall,” which will be distributed by Netflix. As mentioned, Elba has quite a bit on his plate coming up, as “Cats” is set to arrive in theaters in December. He is also in the middle of production on James Gunn’s upcoming superhero sequel “The Suicide Squad.” The actor is also set to star in a new film titled “Concrete Cowboys,” which is likely debuting in 2020. And somewhere along the way, we’re all hoping that he teams with Tilda Swinton on George Miller’s long-in-development film “Three Thousand Years of Longing.”