The 2000s were an incredible time forJason Statham; having only previously starred in Guy Ritchie’sLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrelsin 1998, he hit the 2000s with a vengeance. Not following the typical acting career path, with more minor, supportive roles to build up a profile, Statham went in at the deep end, basicallyleading action films as the starsince his first years. Known forhis tough-guy persona, fighting skills, ripped physique, and witty delivery, he seemed destined to be an action star.
Statham has starred in a multitude of different genres, from martial arts films, gangster comedy dramas, and tenacious heist thrillers. Over the 2000s,his performances have continued to transcend the screen,delivering some of his best scenesthat propelled him into pop culture; whether portraying the driver inThe Transporteror a small-time promoter inSnatch, his roles always stand out from the norm. His unique film choices, combined with his confident demeanor and sense of comedic timing, have made him a fan favorite in the action genre.
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Cast
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, directed by Uwe Boll, is a fantasy adventure film starring Jason Statham as Farmer, who embarks on a quest to rescue his kidnapped wife and avenge his son’s death. Set in the kingdom of Ehb, the film features a host of characters including Ron Perlman and Ray Liotta. The narrative unfolds as Farmer confronts the malevolent forces threatening his homeland.
In this fantasy action film, Statham plays the role of Farmer, a man happily living with his wife, Solana, and young son, Zeph. Farmer’s world is turned upside down by an invading force of animalistic creatures called ‘The Krug’, who are magically controlled by the evil Gallian. After the onslaught sees the village damaged and his son murdered, Farmer goes on a quest for revenge. ThoughStatham plays his role with dignity and commitment, the storyline felt too similar to other fantasy epics likeLord of the Rings, and it failed to deliver either critically or at the box office.
8 Jason Statham Action Movies We Still Hope Get Sequels
Jason Statham has had a career jam-packed with exciting crime thrillers and intense action hits that still have plenty of life in them for sequels.
Turn It Up
Turn It Up follows Diamond, a rapper striving to escape Brooklyn’s tough streets while juggling personal challenges, including his mother’s sudden death and impending fatherhood. Managed by his friend Gage, Diamond faces a dangerous predicament when stolen drug money is used to fund his music ambitions, drawing tension from their boss, Mr. B.
Statham stars as Mr.B, a drug dealer and gangster in this gritty hood action film about a young musician looking to come up in the industry while dealing with the perils of street life. Though the role of Mr. B isn’t the starring role, his part adds a lot of integral plot elements and drama that push the narrative forward. Not often remembered as a high point of his career, itgave a glimpse into the style of characters that Statham would go on to masterfully embodyas his career progressed, the no-nonsense, hardened gangster who sails through the criminal underworld.
Ghosts of Mars
Ghosts of Mars is a science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. Set in 2176 on a colonized Mars, the story follows police officers led by Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge) who are tasked with transporting a dangerous prisoner, Desolation Williams (Ice Cube). They soon discover that the mining operations have unearthed an ancient Martian civilization, leading to a deadly confrontation with spirit-possessed colonists.
Ghosts of Marsis an American space Western action horror, set on Mars in the 22nd Century. Statham plays Sergeant Jericho Butler, a valued member of a police squad tasked to combat against inhabitants of a mining colony on the planet who have been possessed by previous elders.Statham’s role adds a layer of intrigue and intensity to the filmas one of the more commanding officers who venture out to take risks. Though directed well with an interesting story, Statham’s full acting ability wasn’t on display in a more limited role compared to some of his other work.
The One
The One is a science fiction action film directed by James Wong. Released in 2001, it stars Jet Li as Gabriel Yulaw, a rogue Multiverse agent who travels between parallel universes to become the strongest and most powerful by eliminating alternate versions of himself. The film also features performances by Carla Gugino and Delroy Lindo, who aid in the relentless pursuit to stop Yulaw’s destructive path.
In this sci-fi action film, Statham takes a backseat to Jet-Li, who appears in nine different roles across this multiverse, interdimensional traveling spectacle. Statham’s role as a Multiverse Authority Agent who wants to aid in the apprehension and arrest of Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li) is, once again, an early precursor to some characters he would go on to play.He plays his role competently and showcases some of his athletic and martial arts abilities, but the film was widely criticized for its unimaginative action sequences. Still, Statham performed ably and was one of the highlights of the film.
While not being critically acclaimed,The Onewas a box office success, grossing $79.6 million on a $49 million budget.
13
13 is a suspense thriller directed by Géla Babluani, centered on Vince Ferro (Sam Riley), a young man who assumes a dead man’s identity to participate in a deadly game of Russian roulette. The film showcases a cast including Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Ray Winstone, as participants and observers in this high-stakes world where life and death hang in the balance.
In the psychological crime thriller13, Statham takes on this darker and more intense role, playing Jasper Bagges, the wealthy and violent British man who bets on the Russian roulette competitions that make up the plot of the film.Statham knows how to match the atmosphere of the film he is in, playing an aggressive and hardened character in a movie full of psychological suspense throughout. His role is integral to the film’s narrative and while it doesn’t include as much of the action-packed sequences that would help build his reputation, his scenes are still gripping and entertaining to watch.
Transporter 3
Transporter 3, directed by Olivier Megaton, follows professional driver Frank Martin as he transports Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of a Ukrainian official, from Marseilles to Odessa. Along the way, Frank faces numerous obstacles as he battles those intent on intercepting Valentina’s delivery while managing his personal emotions.
In the final installment of the original trilogy, he again takes up his leading role as Frank Martin. Martin is a highly skilled and effective driver who takes on ‘less than legal’ work transporting packages for and to different clients.The Transporterseries put Statham on the map as a legit, bankable action star. This third film continued to push the boat out with a more expansive concept for the film’s narrative and bigger and more explosive action stunts. Slightly less polished than the first two of the franchise, it still shows Statham at the top of his game.
Crank: High Voltage
Crank: High Voltage follows Chev Chelios, who must confront a Chinese mobster after his heart is replaced with a battery-powered artificial organ. To survive, Chelios seeks out frequent electrical charges in this frenetic continuation of his tumultuous life.
Statham once again reprises his role as Chev Chelios, an LA-based assassin with a need for high-octane action. In this film, Chev is injured in a helicopter fall and has his heart artificially replaced. Chelios is informed that he needs to keep his internal battery charged or else he will die, which he does so by a variety of means, including jumper cables, stealing ambulance batteries, and having sex on a racetrack. While the film’s plot was largely thought of as nonsensical, Statham’sperformance was deemed captivating and genuine, proving he can provide solid acting in a less-than-stellar film.
14Revolver (2005)
As Jake Green
For the first time since the cult classic Snatch, Statham teams up with director Guy Ritchie in this action thriller. Statham stars as Jack Green, a cockney gangster and gambler who has just been released from prison and is seeking revenge on the mob boss who put him behind bars. The film takes many twists and turns in its complex narrative, andStatham is able to effortlessly portray implausible scenarios in a believable way. His work with Ritchie continues to impress, with witty dialogue and fast-paced gangster action that the two would become famous for.
London
London is a drama film directed by Hunter Richards and released in 2005. The story revolves around a man named Syd, played by Chris Evans, who spirals into a night of drugs, alcohol, and reflection after discovering his ex-girlfriend London, portrayed by Jessica Biel, is leaving town. The film offers a deep dive into themes of love, loss, and personal turmoil, featuring a strong supporting role by Jason Statham.
In the romantic drama filmLondon, Statham portrays a banker who delivers cocaine to an acquaintance (Chris Evans) who invites him to a party, and the night descends into a drug-fueled, torrid, and violent affair. Statham, starring alongside Jessica Biel and Isla Fisher,steps out of his usual role and shows great chemistry with his co-stars. This film really helps solidify Statham as a solid, dramatic actor, and though he does have his fair share of fighting scenes, it’s his ability to portray a complex yet more subdued character in Bateman that helped him fully show his acting range.
12War (2007)
As Jack Crawford
In what feels like a re-run ofThe One, with Statham and Jet Li starring in an action film with combat choreography by Corey Yuen. Statham plays an FBI agent who is hellbent on finding and taking down Li’s mysterious assassin character entitled ‘The Rogue.‘In their second collaboration, the two build on their chemistry from the previous film, and they work masterfully off each other, portraying genuine emotion and action in every sequence. The narrative was criticized for being too clichéd, but for Statham’s part, he continues to rack up impressive action roles with an emphasis on drama and tension.
What Is Jason Statham’s Best Action Movie?
Jason Statham is one of the biggest action stars of his generation, and his latest movie, The Beekeeper, is evidence of this. The action thriller grossed $152.7 million worldwide and has performed well on Amazon Prime Video, but is it his best movie? I missed The Beekeeper when it was in theaters and was so glad I could catch it on streaming, as it’s one of his best movies in years. My favorite Jason Statham action movie, Spy, is more comedy than thriller. Perhaps controversially, I’m also a big Hobbs & Shaw fan, and I think Statham was one of the best additions to the Fast & Furious franchise.
