Jennifer Saunders, Peter Serafinowicz, London Hughes and Ed Sheeran have joined the cast of action comedy Sumotherhood, as production on the film gets underway in London.

Kevin Bishop, Danny Sapani (Misfits), model Leomie Anderson, Jaime Winstone (After Hours), Vas Blackwood (The Lenny Henry Show) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (The Café) are also part of the ensemble for Adam Deacon's comeback film, which already had comedian Eddie Kadi, Jazzie Zonzolo (The Midnight Beast) and Richie Campbell (Death In Paradise) onboard, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Written by Deacon, Zonzolo and Michael Vu, the film marks writer-actor-director Deacon's return to filmmaking after several years away from the industry, and more than a decade since his 2011 directorial debut Anuvahood, after establishing himself with the 2006 drama Kidulthood, winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2012 but later stepping back from the limelight after a public battle with his mental health, having been diagnosed as bipolar in 2015.

"We are so excited that this incredible cast are joining the project bringing these wacky and crazy characters to life," Deacon told THR. "More than ever, we are celebrating the variety of life in East London in 2022. Both darkly authentic, as well as embracing the vibrant and diverse lifestyle of living in an East London council estate."

Shooting in Hackney and East London through February and March, Sumotherhood is produced by BIFA-nominated producer Finn Bruce (Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break) of Belstone Pictures, Deacon's production company Deaconstructed and the newly-formed banner Piece Of Pie Productions.

"Both myself and Robert Williams are excited to be starting our maiden voyage into film making with this incredible script," said executive producer Barry McNicholl of Piece Of Pie Productions.

"With Kevin Bishop, our head creative, bringing his thirty year career to Adam's exceptional talent and vision, we have high expectations for this film... we look forward to shooting this film with its unique blend of bold comedy and hard hitting action."

"This international cast we are blessed to be working with will allow an authentic London 'Hood' film to reach audiences in America and around the world," added Bruce of Belstone Pictures, saying that Sumotherhood would tell a "compelling and comedic local story on a global stage within a truthful and cinematic film."

Added Deacon: "This film is going to be an explosion of fun with action and comedy at every turn, while also hitting some serious subject matters with raw emotion and harsh reality."