In modern life, it's incredibly difficult for many individuals to go without looking at their phone every few minutes.

And it seems that Idris Elba couldn't resist having his device on him at all times as he filmed his new movie The Dark Tower, a Western thriller, in Cape Town last week.

The 43-year-old British actor looked every inch the cowboy in his period drama get-up, but the phone in his hand in-between takes certainly ruined the effect a touch.

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From gunslinger... to phone-slinger! Idris Elba couldn't let go of the mobile device in his left hand while getting in character on the Cape Town-based set of new movie The Dark Tower last Wednesday

The Luther star cut a handsome figure in his costume, including dark jeans, a white shirt and waistcoat worn with a red scarf around his neck.

He also had an ammo belt slung around his waist and a gun in a holster sitting to his side as he strolled across the South African set.

With a look of determination on his face, Idris appeared slightly distracted as he meandered across the sun-soaked location, before stripping off to reveal his incredibly large, muscular arms.

Quite the anachronism: The Luther star cut a handsome figure in his costume, including dark jeans, a white shirt and waistcoat worn with a red scarf around his neck, but the phone in his hand ruined the effect slightly

Getting into character: The 43-year-old British actor also had an ammo belt slung around his waist and a gun in a holster sitting to his side as he strolled across the South African set

Pulling at the scarf around his neck - his beloved phone still firmly in his left hand - he appeared to be feeling the heat in the South African city on Wednesday.

Can't let go: While in-between takes, Idris couldn't be parted with his phone

Idris is playing the lead role of gunslinger Roland Deschain in the big-screen adaptation of Stephen King's famous series of Dark Tower novels.

Billed as a science-fiction fantasy horror, the movie - directed by Nikolaj Arcel and set for release in 2017 - tells the story of Deschain, a frontiersman knight who goes head-to-head with the villainous Walter Padick, played by Matthew McConaughey.

The movie will be based on the first in legendary writer King's eight-book series, entitled The Gunslinger: there will also reportedly be a TV spin-off series based on the saga.

The Jungle Book star was seen arriving in Cape Town on Tuesday after making headlines at the TV BAFTAs just days before, where he publicly reunited with his ex-girlfriend and mother of his 23-month-old son Winston, Naiyana Garth.

He was seen walking the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall with his arm around the 28-year-old make-up artist as they made their first public appearance together this year, the two of them looking happier than ever.

They began dating in 2013, with the pretty brunette soon falling pregnant, but they split in February this year.

However, despite his happy demeanour at the prestigious awards ceremony with his partner, Idris missed out on a BAFTA that night: he had been nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in Luther, but he lost out to Wolf Hall's Mark Rylance.

Sun's out, guns out! Clearly feeling the heat in the South African city, Idris stripped off and showed off his hulking arms

Hard at work: Idris is playing the lead role of gunslinger Roland Deschain in the big-screen adaptation of Stephen King's famous series of Dark Tower novels

He looks the part! Billed as a science-fiction fantasy horror, the movie tells the story of Deschain, a frontiersman knight who goes head-to-head with baddie Walter Padick, played by Matthew McConaughey

Taking a breather: A day after flying from London to Cape Town, Idris made sure to take some time out between takes

Meanwhile, the busy actor is also said to be in talks to join Jessica Chastain in upcoming movie Molly's Game.

He is being touted to play a criminal defence lawyer in the Aaron Sorkin project, adapted from Olympic skier Molly Bloom's memoirs.

Aaron told Variety: 'The casting of Jessica and Idris in the two lead roles is any filmmaker's dream come true. They're two of the greatest actors of their generation, paired for the first time, and their chemistry will be electric.'