Since his breakthrough in the action thriller The Transporter, Jason Statham has become one of the genre’s most sought-after stars, directing films himself and joining huge ensembles like the Fast and Furious family along the way. It’s been a wild ride filled with some of the biggest films of the last 20 years, but there’s one area where Statham still hasn’t found success: superhero films. Now he explained why.
Speaking to Variety while promoting his new film The Beekeeper, Statham discussed his preferences when it comes to choosing genre projects and made it clear that the whole superhero movie vibe just wasn’t for him, especially compared to more straightforward action films. he usually does.
Why Hasn’t Jason Statham Been in Any Superhero Movies?
“I don’t have a big appetite for a costume, with cape and tights,” Statham said. “I like old school ’80s movies. I was inspired by people like Stallone and Arnold. And even before those guys, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Eastwood. I just couldn’t see any of those guys putting on a cape, and a mask and going around on wires.”
Statham has certainly had his fare share of near-superhuman roles, thanks to projects like Crank and of course his work as Deckard Shaw in the Fast & Furious films, which push their action into higher and higher gear with each passing installment. But when it comes to more straightforward comic book movies, Statham compared his feelings to the way people feel about certain kinds of music. Sometimes, it’s just not for you.
“Cinema is like music. Some people like Country and Western, others like heavy metal. I’m drawn to a bit more of a grounded kind of action,” he said. “Well, I like being grounded to be an element we inject into the crazy world that we’re in.”
Superhero films aside, Statham keeps himself very busy. He just completed a year in which he returned to the Fast family for Fast X and returned to the Expendables franchise with Expend4bles. Throw in The Meg 2 and his latest collaboration with director Guy Ritchie, Operation Fortune: Stealth of War, and it’s been a busy 12 months, with more projects on the way. In addition to The Beekeeper, Statham is set to return as Deckard Shaw in the upcoming 11th Fast and the Furious film, and there’s a very good chance he’ll stick around for other spinoffs and future installments should the opportunity arise. And besides, in his own way, to action movie fans everywhere, he is already a superhero.