Idris Elba to play Alex Cross in film

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- British actor Idris Elba will play District of Columbia police detective-psychologist Alex Cross in the film adaptation of the novel "Cross," EW.com said.

Morgan Freeman, 73, previously played the role of the brilliant crime-solver in big-screen versions of James Patterson's thrillers "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came A Spider."

Elba, 37, is best known to U.S. audiences for his work in "The Office" and "The Wire." He also plays a recurring role on the Showtime series "The Big C."