The Story⚡
Idris Elba’s 22Summers, Moses Babatope’s Nile Media Entertainment Group, and Chee Keong Cheung’s Action Xtreme have joined forces to develop and produce a slate of action films originating from West Africa.
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The three production companies announced a strategic collaboration focused on creating commercially driven action films rooted in African stories, settings, and talent. The initiative combines local expertise with international production experience to build a sustainable pipeline of genre content aimed at both theatrical and streaming audiences worldwide.
Under the partnership, Chee Keong Cheung will direct the first film, scheduled for release in Q4 2026, while Moses Babatope will produce through Nile Motion Pictures. Idris Elba and Gina Carter will executive produce the slate, with Elba also set to direct one of the films. African distribution will be managed by Nile Entertainment. A second film is planned for Q1 2027.
The partners emphasize talent development alongside production. The collaboration includes training and mentorship initiatives to support emerging African creatives and strengthen the region’s capacity for high-quality genre filmmaking.
Nile Media Entertainment Group, led by Moses Babatope, is a major player in West Africa with operations spanning production, distribution, exhibition, and exhibition infrastructure. It serves as the regional theatrical distributor for Hollywood studios including Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures, while expanding Nollywood’s international reach.
Action Xtreme, founded by Chee Keong Cheung, is a UK-based studio specializing in action content. Cheung previously directed Son of the Soil in Nigeria, an experience that highlighted the depth of local talent and storytelling potential.
22Summers, founded by Idris Elba and Gina Carter, brings extensive experience across genres, including Elba’s directorial work on Yardie and recent projects such as the Netflix film Luther – The Day Will Come.
Moses Babatope, Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group, described the partnership as a step toward building globally competitive African cinema. He noted that action is a powerful commercial genre where Africa remains underrepresented despite its strong stories and creative resources. The focus, he said, is on creating an ecosystem that supports production, talent development, and distribution.
Chee Keong Cheung, CEO of Action Xtreme, highlighted the talent and energy he encountered while filming in Nigeria and expressed the goal of creating films that succeed commercially while staying authentically African.
Idris Elba stated that strengthening the African film industry requires collaboration, with the aim of achieving global success that can attract further investment.
Gina Carter, Creative Director of 22Summers, noted the partnership’s focus on bold new voices in action films and Africa’s wealth of stories and talent.
In Summary
The first two films are set for 2026 and 2027, with plans for a longer-term slate that combines local perspectives, global production standards, and dedicated talent development programs. The initiative positions West Africa as an emerging source of action cinema for international audiences.
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