Los Angeles, Aug 10 (IANS): Actor Idris Elba has grabbed a role in debutant director Ricky Stauba's film "Ghetto Cowboy".

Penned by Staub and Dan Walser, the film is based on the award-winning novel by Greg Neri, reports variety.com.

Staub said: "This story was built out of a deep friendship and collaboration with the riders of North Philly, and I couldn't be more excited to honour their legacy with this film."

The movie follows a 15-year-old Cole, who's forced to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding.

Elba said: "Ricky and Dan's brilliant script combines the energy and grit of an urban movie with the poetry and romance of the urban cowboy way of life."

Elba's recent works include "The Dark Tower", "Molly's Game", "Thor: Ragnarok" and "The Mountain Between Us". He has also joined the cast of "Fast and Furious Spin off" as a villain.