Is Jason Statham’s A Working Man the Start of His Next Epic Action Franchise?

⚠️ CAUTION: This post includes significant plot reveals of the 2025 film “A Working Man”. If you haven’t seen it yet and wish to remain spoiler-free, we advise you to stop reading now (though Jason Statham won’t actually hunt you down).

As Fast & Furious 11 and the follow-up to Beekeeper are on the horizon, it’s clear that Jason Statham has a packed schedule ahead. Yet, the success of A Working Man, which surpassed Snow White in its opening weekend at the box office, hints at potential for Statham’s next major action series.

Despite mixed reviews from critics about Statham’s latest film, which was originally called “Levon’s Trade,” the conclusion of “A Working Man” suggests there may be more installments to come and hints at potential directions for David Ayer’s franchise if everything falls into place. Let me explain further.

What Happens During A Working Man’s Ending?

In “A Working Man,” the protagonist Levon Cade, a one-time Royal Marine Commando now employed in construction, embarks on a mission to locate his employer’s college-aged daughter who has been kidnapped by human traffickers. His investigation initially takes place in Chicago but soon expands to nearby regions. Along the way, Levon confronts petty criminals, bikers, corrupt cops, powerful human traffickers, and even the Russian mafia.

Eventually, I manage to locate and rescue Jenny Garcia, or Arianna Rivas as she’s known, from a hidden casino and underground dungeon nestled in a shabby mansion, somewhere south of the Windy City. I take down most of the culprits involved in her kidnapping, torment, and various illicit activities. Fortunately, Jenny and I make it through the harrowing ordeal. However, there’s one thread left unraveled as Symon Kharchenko, head of the Russian mafia, manages to survive the chaos and escapes without exacting his vengeance on Cade for the death of his sons.

But The Unfinished Business With The Russian Mob Could Lead To A Civil War (And More Problems For Levon)

If “The Working Man” continues to spawn additional films, there’s a strong possibility that the unsettled matters between Levon Cade and Symon Kharchenko will escalate, potentially causing trouble for Levon (and his family) in the future, as well as inciting an internal conflict within the criminal organization. In the movie’s finale, when Symon gathers the “War Council” to announce that Levon has survived the attack, their decision to let things simmer doesn’t sit well with the mourning father, as one might expect.

After seeing numerous action films and suspenseful crime dramas throughout my life, I’ve learned that when someone is deeply grieving and hurting, they won’t simply let things be, no matter what their allies advise about staying low-key. This scenario could make an excellent foundation for the sequel or sequels of “A Working Man“, as it would further Levon’s narrative and lead towards a showdown with Symon, while also expanding the universe they inhabit, thereby increasing the tension and stakes.

There Will Also Surely Be Some Major Ramifications In Levon’s Personal Life After The Movie’s Events

In the action genre, Levon Cade has proven himself as a formidable force of trouble, yet he’s also depicted as a loving father to his little girl. However, it seems he can’t escape from finding himself in precarious situations. The story unfolds with Levon repeatedly clashing with his father-in-law, Dr. Jordan Roth (portrayed by Richard Heap), who continues to blame Levon for his daughter’s suicide. Despite rescuing Dr. Roth when the Russian mob torches his house and nearly kills him, it was Levon’s actions that initially drew them there.

Initially in the film, Dr. Roth hired expensive lawyers to make it extremely difficult for Levon and his daughter to meet, which was further complicated by Dr. Roth’s near-death experience at the hands of a former Royal Marine Commando. It seems unlikely that there won’t be some sort of consequences for him once things calm down. After all, setting up such events is typically what kicks off the plot in a sequel, isn’t it?

It Also Feels Like Certain Characters Were Introduced To Be Expanded Later

Have you ever noticed that sometimes a movie introduces a character but seems to keep them underdeveloped with the intention of expanding their role in future installments? This was my experience with David Harbour’s character, Gunny Lefferty, who is one of Levon Cade’s old military comrades. Although this witty and resourceful character has some incredibly impactful scenes, and he even shields Levon’s daughter during the major action finale, I can’t help but feel that we have only scratched the surface of his capabilities.

In the initial part of the story, Gunny, who is blind, unexpectedly fires an arrow close to Levon’s head. Later, there’s a scene where he meticulously describes the placement of various guns without relying on his sight. Certainly, Gunny demonstrates some remarkable abilities in these scenes, but it leaves one with a sense that there are many other intriguing aspects yet to be discovered.

This Could Become One Of Jason Statham’s Big Franchises Like The Beekeeper, The Transporter, And The Meg

I’m absolutely thrilled for “The Beekeeper 2”! Yet, there’s always space in my enthusiasm for more Jason Statham action series. Re-living “The Transporter” before “A Working Man” was simply fantastic, leaving me yearning for additional films starring the British action hero. I believe that Levon Cade has the potential to stand alongside characters like Frank Martins and Adam Clays, particularly with the extensive library of books Chuck Dixon has penned about the character.

There are currently ten (and growing) book-to-screen adaptations featuring the adventures of Levon Cade, which means his story could easily fill up an entire schedule. Given the rich source material and high-octane action scenes, this series has the potential to be quite significant! It’s even possible that it might spawn a new installment in the The Meg series.

But All Of This Depends On How A Working Man Performs At The Box Office

To ensure that “A Working Man” gets a sequel and becomes the next Jason Statham-like franchise, it’s crucial for the movie to excel at the box office. As previously stated, it managed to achieve this by earning $15.5 million during its opening weekend, securing the number one spot, as reported by Box Office Mojo.

In contrast to what’s considered one of Statham’s less successful opening weekends, it was only $1 million shy of the earnings that “The Beekeeper” made during its debut in January 2024, as reported by Box Office Mojo. The David Ayer action film ultimately grossed $162.6 million and spawned a sequel. Although their latest collaboration might not reach those heights, if it does, there’s a chance we’ll see more of Levon Cade in the future.

As I eagerly anticipate further details about “A Working Man” and its potential future as a series, there are several exciting action films scheduled for release that can keep me entertained in the interim.

2025-04-04 03:08