British actor, Idris Elba lands the starring role in the new Paris-based cinematic thriller, Bastille Day. In it, Elba plays a CIA agent who is charged with preventing a terrorist attack on Paris when he figures out the missing link between who’s behind the plan to takedown the Paris metro.

Bastille Day is produced by Hollywood heavyweights Steve Golin, Bard Dorros and David Kanter of Anonymous Content and Philippe Rousselet, the CEO of Vendome Pictures. Andrew Baldwin wrote the script. A director for the film has yet to be named.

The actor’s breakout role was starring as the tormented hero who roamed the streets of London taking down one bad guy at a time on Luther. However since then, the dynamic actor has been making waves in leading roles in Warner Bros.’ Pacific Rim, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, and the $200 million dollar movie blockbuster by Marvel, Thor: The Dark World.

But perhaps his most challenging and award-worthy role to date is his upcoming film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, where he plays the famed philanthropist and human rights activist, Nelson Mandela. Elba is already garnering media praise and possible award nominations for his role as Mandela and fans of the actor will be able to see a different side of his acting range that goes beyond fighting crime and sci-fi thrillers.