Philadelphia

Production on Idris Elba's ‘Concrete Cowboys' Begins in Philadelphia

HughE Dillon
HughE Dillon/PhillyChitChat

What to Know

  • British actor Idris Elba was spotted in Philadelphia training on horseback for his upcoming role in Concrete Cowboys.
  • The project was originally known as Ghetto Cowboy, which is based on author Greg Neri’s 2011 novel of the same name.
  • Elba is set to help produce with Jeff Waxman, Lee Daniels, and Jennifer Madeloff among others. Caleb McLaughlin has also signed on to star.

Production is underway in Philadelphia for a new film starring Golden Globe-winning actor Idris Elba.

Friday, the 46-year-old Englishman did his best Lil Nas X impression while being spotted in Philly training on horseback for his upcoming role in "Concrete Cowboys," a film about the relationship between a father and son in the unique pastime of Fletcher Street Stables.

Philly paparazzo HughE Dillon captured Elba training in the city's Strawberry Mansion section on Thursday.

The project was originally known as "Ghetto Cowboy," which is based on author Greg Neri’s 2011 novel of the same name.

Elba will not only star in the film, but he’s set to help produce alongside Jeff Waxman, Lee Daniels, and Jennifer Madeloff among others.

"Stranger Things’" Caleb McLaughlin has also signed on to star in the film. He will portray Cole, a 15-year-old who is introduced to the world of urban horseback riding when he must move in with his father, Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia.

Idris Elba on Horse HughE Dillon
HughE Dillion/PhillyChitChat
Idris Elba in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood in August 2019.

"Concrete Cowboys" will be Ricky Staub’s, owner of Brewerytown’s Neighborhood Film Company, directorial debut. He will direct the project from a script he co-wrote with Dan Walser.

The filming for the project follows this month’s release of Elba’s latest project, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. No release date for "Concrete Cowboys" has been announced.

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