Universal Pictures is set to keep viewers clinging to the edge of their seats and biting their nails in fright with their newest project Beast. The film, pegged to be an adventure survival thriller movie, was met with significant excitement from fans. Many Idris Elba fans were thrilled at the chance to see the actor take on a man vs. animal trope. “Haven’t been to the movies in a while but I’m going to go see Beast when it comes out. @idriselba looks like he’s bringing it,” wrote an eager fan on Twitter.

Elba starring in Beast definitely becomes a plus point for the movie, given that the actor has a strong and loyal fanbase. The multiple projects Elba has taken on, spanning a wide variety of genres and covering both television and film, have made the actor a widely reputed household name among moviegoers. In addition to the excitement he has stirred up with Beast, fans also eagerly await his hotly anticipated film, Three Thousand Years of Longing. However, for now, here’s all we know about Elba’s upcoming battle with the wild!

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Beast: The Plot

     Universal Pictures

The central narrative of Beast revolves around survival. The film’s storyline follows a family of three, a father and his two daughters, who make their way onto a game reserve in South Africa. A trip meant to hold sentimental value and help repair neglected relationships soon becomes an absolute nightmare when the family becomes the target of a predator.

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When the intended one-of-a-kind adventure takes a turn down the wrong path, the family is left with no choice but to survive and fight for their lives. On the Today Show, talking about the family dynamic which runs parallel to the heart-in-your-throat thrill in Beast, Elba said:

The official description of the movie, released by Universal Pictures, reads:

“There’s this family dynamic in the film that’s endearing. For the dads out there, it’s one for the heart.”

A trailer depicting the jam-packed action amidst the sheer terror and horror which is intertwined into the film was released by Universal Pictures in May 2022.

“Dr. Nate Daniels, a recently widowed husband who returns to South Africa, where he first met his wife, on a long-planned trip with their daughters to a game reserve managed by Martin Battles, an old family friend and wildlife biologist. But what begins as a journey of healing jolts into a fearsome fight for survival when a lion, a survivor of blood-thirsty poachers who now sees all humans as the enemy, begins stalking them.”

Beast: The Cast & Crew

Renowned actor Idris Elba will be taking on the lead role of Dr. Nate Daniels. Given Elba’s track record through the years, having had roles in films such as Hobbs and Shaw, The Dark Tower, Takers, and the Thor franchise, Elba will no doubt be able to successfully pull off his role as protagonist in Beast. The projects Elba has worked on have also proved him more than capable of handling a plethora of roles, being up for whatever challenge it requires of him.

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In addition to the lion-tackling Elba, the cast list of Beast comprises Sharlto Copley, a South African actor who will be taking on the role of Martin Battles, a long-time friend of the Daniels and wildlife biologist. Joining Copley will be Iyana Halley, who will be playing Daniels’ 18-year-old daughter, Meredith, and Leah Sava Jeffries, who will take on the role of the protagonist’s youngest daughter, Norah.

Beast has a noteworthy creative team driving its production. The film is directed by Baltasar Kormákur, who has been recognized for his work on projects such as 101 Reykjavík, Contraband, Everest, and The Oath. 101 Reykjavík went on to win Kormákur the Discovery Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kormákur’s 2012 movie, The Deep, won multiple Edda Awards, including Best Film of the Year, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The film is being produced by James Lopez, Will Packer, and Jaime Primak Sullivan, with the latter also being credited for the film’s story. Universal Pictures, crediting Packer for his work, has recognized him as “the blockbuster producer of Girls Trip, the Ride Along franchise, and ten movies that have opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office”. The credit for the screenplay of Beast is awarded to Ryan Engle, who has films such as Rampage under his belt.

Release Date

Viewers don’t have long to wait. Beast will premiere on August 19, 2022. As of now, the film is set to release exclusively in theaters. However, it is likely that Beast will be released on a streaming service after having had its time on cinema screens.