Idris Elba is training to become a professional kickboxer for new docu-series

We've been watching Idris Elba kick ass on screens big and small in both animated and live action films for years, but next year we'll see him kick ass in an all new arena. According to Deadline, the actor-musician will be stepping into the ring for Idris Elba: Fighter, a three-part series which will see Elba train to become a professional kickboxer. Yup, you read that right. Here's a quote from the man himself: 

"It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally. Entering the ring to further test myself as a human being is a challenge I have been looking to take on for quite some time".

As Elba's latest Instagram snap indicates, he's already putting in the gym hours for the series...

At first glance this sounded a little crazy, but the more I think about it the more I find myself very excited to see Elba kick people in the head. Will you be watching?

Idris Elba: Fighter will debut in early 2017.

Images: Columbia Pictures/Idris Elba

Amon Warmann

Amon is a contributing editor and columnist for Empire magazine, but is also a Film and TV writer for GamesRadar+, Total Film, and others. He has also written for NME, Composer Mag, and more, along with being a film critic for TalkSport. He is also the co-host of the Fade to Black Podcast, and a video mashup creator. Can also do a pretty good Bane impersonation.