As a long-time movie enthusiast who has seen more action movies than I care to admit, I have to say that Jason Statham’s departure from The Transporter franchise was indeed a disappointment for many fans like myself. However, when you think about it, it’s not just the loss of an iconic character but also the loss of an actor who truly embodies Frank Martin.
Ever since Jason Statham made his mark as an authentic action hero in “The Transporter,” he has established himself as a Hollywood icon in action films. However, what led to the conclusion of this original franchise, and why was a less prominent reboot initiated instead? Reportedly, it was because the studio required him to commit to three more sequels without even reviewing the script.
To be quite honest, working on those films was truly remarkable, and I yearned for more. However, they asked me to commit to three more movies without even providing a script, and the pay offer for all three was significantly less than what I’d earn for one. It became a matter of business, not creative passion. I wish I could have continued, but signing on without reading a script seemed imprudent, especially when the compensation wasn’t commensurate with the work. In essence, I found it hard to justify investing my time and talent under such circumstances.
In an interview with Vulture in April 2015, Statham explained that the studio chose to reboot the franchise without him due to it being primarily a “business decision”. He also mentioned that he was offered very little money (a pittance) and expected to star in more movies without having the chance to review a completed script first.
In “The Transporter,” Jason Statham initially showcased his knack for action, and introduced the character Frank Martin, a former soldier turned driver-for-hire who unknowingly gets entangled in a human trafficking scheme. The “Transporter” series gave birth to two sequels, namely “Transporter 2” (2005) and “Transporter 3” (2008), but Statham eventually parted ways with the franchise. A reboot titled “The Transporter Refueled” was released in 2015, featuring Ed Skrein from “Deadpool” as the lead character. Prior to this, a TV series headlined by Chris Vance of “Bosch” ran between 2012-2014. Unfortunately, neither spinoff managed to achieve the same level of explosive success as Statham’s original work in the franchise.
The Transporter Director Would Love to Make a Fourth Movie With Jason Statham
Though Jason Statham hasn’t appeared in the The Transporter series since 2015, director Louis Leterrier has expressed his desire to work with Statham again on a fourth film. In an interview last year, Leterrier (currently leading the Fast and Furious franchise) mentioned that it would be satisfying to bring back Frank Martin for another adventure.
“In other words, it would be fantastic…It was truly enjoyable. So, why not make it happen? After all, Frank Martin is an outstanding character, as is The Transporter. Not to mention, Jason Statham is a brilliant actor. Let’s have more of The Transporter, don’t you think?”
Stepping away from the iconic role of Frank Martin, action maestro Jason Statham has undeniably unleashed an array of equally captivating characters on the big screen. This year alone, he has mesmerized audiences as Adam Clay in “The Beekeeper,” a film that finds him delving into the enigmatic world of this man who, spurred by the tragic loss of a cherished friend to deceit, abandons his serene beekeeping lifestyle and embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance.
In “Levon’s Trade,” Jason Statham carries on the tradition of action heroes, with this film being written by Sylvester Stallone and directed by David Ayer from “The Beekeeper.” The story follows Statham as a retired black-ops agent who is compelled to return to duty when his boss’s teenage daughter goes missing.
The movie “The Beekeeper” can currently be streamed on Prime Video. On the other hand, “Levon’s Trade” is set for a theater release by Amazon MGM Studios on January 17, 2025.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-31 17:01