Serenity star announces next project

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who starred as The Operative in 2005's science fiction hit Serenity, is to star in David Mamet's next film about a martial arts expert.

Redbelt, set in Los Angeles, is to feature Ejiofor as a jiu-jitsu master who, after retiring from the competition world, feels he must return in order to win back his honour.

Sony Pictures Classics is set to finance the film, which is expected to have a $10 million (£5.03 million) budget and begin production this May.

It might be considered as a typically diverse move for London-born Ejiofor, who has starred in films ranging from the romantic comedy Love Actually to futuristic thriller Children of Men.

He has also worked with noted directors such as Woody Allen on Melinda and Melinda, in addition to Spike Lee on She Hate Me and last year's heist drama Inside Man.

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