Jason Statham returns to the realm of action movies withA Working Man, and the upcoming release may already be a replacement for a franchise he started just last year. The2025 action movieis one of the most anticipated releases in the genre, thanks to the reasonably strong stretch Statham has had recently. He’s delivered repeated box office hits between theFast & FuriousandThe Megfranchises in the last few years. Even movies that aren’t part of established franchises have done well. That’s the hope once more with potentialfranchise starterA Working Man.
The new film from director David Ayer is an adaptation of a long-running book series by author Chuck Dixon. With theLevon’s Tradebooks as inspiration,A Working Manhas the potential to be a franchise that Jason Statham is part of for over 20 years if all the books are adapted. Even if Statham’s run as Levon Cade is shorter,the movie is undoubtedly one for which he, Ayer, and Amazon MGM have franchise aspirations. That would make sense after all were involved inThe Beekeeper’s $162 million success. ButA Working Manmay have replaced that new franchise.
Jason Statham & David Ayer Prioritized A Working Man Over The Beekeeper 2
Ayer Isn’t Even Returning For The Beekeeper’s Sequel Now
When Jason Statham and David Ayer first teamed up forThe Beekeeperlast year, the film’s box office and critical success brought the assumption that a sequel would be fast tracked. Both men vocalized their interest in makingThe Beekeeper 2before the first film even debuted. That’s why it was so surprising when it was announced that they were makingA Working Man.The new movie became their priorityover expanding a known commodity that was well positioned to succeed. That leftThe Beekeeper 2’s developmentin uncertain territory.
Now, it’s been confirmed thatThe Beekeeper 2is moving forward but with a notable change. David Ayer is not returning to direct the sequel, as previously believed. Instead, Timo Tjahjanto (Nobody 2) is taking over directing duties. The reason for the change is not wholly due toA Working Man. Ayer has other commitments to a Brad Pitt-starring thriller calledThe Heart of the Beastat Paramount that take precedence. That’s notable still, becauseit was previously thoughtThe Beekeeperwould be a franchise Ayer and Statham shepherd together.It’s now just Statham without Ayer.
A Working Man Could Now Be The David Ayer & Jason Statham Franchise The Beekeeper Seemed To Be
They Could Reunite On A Working Man’s Sequel Next
WithThe Beekeeper 2already shifting the direction of the Jason Statham franchise, it is possible thatA Working Manwill be his action series that David Ayer remains involved in.There is no official development underway on a sequel toA Working Man, but Statham, Amazon MGM, and Ayer could start finalizing plans for one later in the year if the first film is another box office hit. Since Ayer already missed out on doingThe Beekeeper 2, it would be somewhat surprising if he was then also absent from the development ofA Working Man’s sequel.
Ayer and Statham could make one of these movies every few years to keep working together
The chance that David Ayer and Jason Statham reunite on futureA Working Manfranchise installments means it could be the seriesThe Beekeeperwas expected to be. Ayer and Statham could make one of these movies every few years to keep working together and develop a solid action franchise that is successful for all parties involved. That doesn’t take anything away fromThe Beekeeper’s franchise potential. But for anyone looking for an Ayer and Statham action franchise after the 2024 film,A Working Mancould be it in the end.
