Idris Elba’s production company sets up book adaptation Poe Must Die as trilogy

Publishers Weekly reports that actor and filmmaker Idris Elba – who I’m still waiting to become the first Black James Bond – is developing Marc Olden’s historic thriller Poe Must Die as a trilogy through his Green Door Production Company.

Published in 1978, Poe Must Die is set in New York City in the 1840s, centering on Edgar Allan Poe fighting demonic forces and his own personal demons (the iconic writer had a major drinking problem) while teaming with a famous bare-knuckle fighter pursuing a sorcerer – a satanist threatening the entire planet – who murdered the fighter’s wife. The sorcerer is seeking the Throne of Solomon, which will grant him immortality and control over Lucifer.

Elba will produce and star in Jim O’Hanlon’s drama A Hundred Streets with Gemma Arterton, Samantha Banks, Ken Stott, Charlie Creed-Miles, Tom Cullen and Steve Mackintosh. The British actor will also be seen in Marvel-Disney’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron and will voice Shere Khan in Disney’s The Jungle Book.