Luther fans got some much-longed for news when its titular character Idris Elba confirmed production for the film was beginning in September.
The actor, who plays the show's protagonist DCI John Luther, said he's 'so excited' to get to work on the movie, which follows on from the BBC smash hit series.
"We go into production, fingers crossed, in September," the 48-year-old told Variety yesterday.
"I'm so excited about it, it's been a long time coming."
Idris, 48, also said he expects 'bolder' storylines, which will have more of an international feel.
The actor, who has been rumoured to play the next James Bond has made no secret of wanting to put the popular cop on the big screen.
Hopes have been high for a film version of Luther since the show’s fifth series ended with a week-long TV bonanza in January last year.
And its creator Neil Cross has already hinted that DCI Luther may have to tackle enemies from another world.
Idris' portrayal of the gifted but flawed detective won him a Golden Globe in 2012.
However, despite the show's enormous success, the actor posted a cryptic message in April amid debate about the "authenticity" of the BBC crime series.
The post came after the drama was criticised for a lack of "authenticity" by the BBC's creative diversity chief Miranda Wayland.
According to The Times, she said: "When it [Luther] first came out everybody loved the fact that Idris Elba was in there - a really strong, Black character lead.
"We all fell in love with him. Who didn't, right? But after you got into about the second series, you got kind of like, 'OK, he doesn't have any Black friends, he doesn't eat any Caribbean food, this doesn't feel authentic'."
As well as his stellar turn as John Luther, Idris also played Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013).
