Beast

Idris Elba fights off a blood-hungry lion in an upcoming thriller film titled, ‘Beast’. Image via Twitter @RueMorgue

Trailer alert: Idris Elba fights off lion in action-packed film ‘Beast’ [watch]

‘Beast’ starring Idris Elba was shot in Northern Cape and Limpopo in 2021 and stars SA actor Sharlto Copley. Take a look at the trailer here.

Beast

Idris Elba fights off a blood-hungry lion in an upcoming thriller film titled, ‘Beast’. Image via Twitter @RueMorgue

Award-winning British actor Idris Elba is turning heads in the trailer for a new action-packed film titled Beast. Elba shot the film in South Africa, specifically the Northern Cape and Limpopo.

‘Beast’ is set to be released on 26 August.

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‘BEAST’

According to Deadline, Emmy-nominated actor, Idris Elba plays Dr Nate Samuels, a recently widowed husband who returns to South Africa for a long-planned trip with his two teenage daughters. 

What is supposed to be a trip about “healing” and relaxation turns into a trip where Samuels must fight off a lion who sees all humans as the enemy. 

The thriller film, directed by Iceland-born director Baltasar Kormákur, stars This is Us actress Iyana Halley, Leah Sava Jefferies and Johannesburg-born actor Sharlto Copley. 

SHOOTING ‘BEAST’ IN SOUTH AFRICA

Beast was shot entirely in parts of the Northern Cape and Limpopo. Director Kormákur recalled that when he was offered the project, he made it clear that he wanted to shoot in South Africa. 

Speaking to Empire, the star director said: “It’s a huge country. I knew that, but didn’t realise it. You’re thinking, let’s go here, let’s go there, but it’s like prepping in Chicago and shooting in Los Angeles or something.”

“I want to experience it and give the audience the experience of Africa,” he added. 

The trailer, released on Wednesday 25 May, sees Idris Elba’s character wrestling a blood-hungry lion to save his two daughters. 

TAKE A LOOK 

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WHY IDRIS ELBA WAS THE PERFECT CHOICE  

Kormákur said casting Idris Elba to play Nate Samuels was a perfect choice because he is an “incredibly strong actor” and has a “movie-star appeal”. 

“So when doing the scenes that need more gravity and more emotional connection, he does a terrific job – and then when he has to face a lion, you also believe him, because he has that kind of persona. Idris is a hulk of a man, but he’s a gentleman.”