Idris Elba plans to give up acting to focus on directing "eventually"

Speaking at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, the Daily Mail online reports he said: "I'm hoping that my fan base as an actor isn't mad at me. Eventually I want to transfer to be a director fully.

"I've been acting for a long time.

"I love it still, but I think directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles and just be a part of the set in a different way. I really enjoy it."

The Molly's Game star's next film as a director is This Is How It Goes, which is based on a 2005 film by Neil LaBute and was shot in Ghana.

He said: "The original is about a Black man married to a white woman, and a white man comes to move into their house, and it's about what happens to their relationship.

"I bought the rights to the film and transposed the story. So it's a white man married to a Black woman, and a Black man comes to live in their house. It's an incredible examination of marriage, trust, and race."

As well as directing more, Idris recently revealed he wants to take on more projects with his wife Sabrina Elba after enjoying working on their podcasts and other ventures together.

He told Britain's OK! magazine: "Personally and professionally I'd love to do more projects with his wife.

"We have our skincare range, and if the right opportunities come up I want to do more with my wife who luckily also happens to be my best friend."

The Luther star - who has children Raize, 32, Isan, 23, and Winston, 11, from previous relationships - added: "Then, of course, you want your kids to be happy. I have always said I don't mind what paths they choose to go down, as long as it's their path and they are doing something they are passionate about."