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Exclusive: Rita Ora (Fifty Shades franchise), Nora Arnezeder (The Offer), Saïd Taghmaoui (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) and Joey Bicicchi (Black Bird) have signed on for roles in the action pic Tin Soldier, which is in production in Greece.

They join an ensemble that also includes Jamie Foxx, Scott Eastwood, Robert De Niro, John Leguizamo and Shamier Anderson.

The film from director Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer) tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout, military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government — in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) — recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-Special Forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his vulnerable past...

Exclusive: Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4) has joined the cast of Brad Furman’s Tin Soldier which is currently shooting in Greece.

The casting marks a reunion for Shamier and Furman after the former starred in City Of Lies.

As we revealed last week, starring are Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Oscar winner Robert De Niro(Joker), Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious) and John Leguizamo (John Wick). Filming is underway in Greece.

Tin Soldier tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) – recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi.

Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx are set to join Brad Furman’s action movie ‘Tin Soldier.’

Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious) and John Leguizamo (John Wick) have also joined the cast of the project which is due to commence filming in Greece next week.

The movie tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) – recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his vulnerable past and insider knowledge of the enigmatic leader to finally get revenge on the man who took everything from him,...

Exclusive: The starry indie film packages keep on coming in Cannes with news we can reveal that Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Oscar winner Robert De Niro (Joker), Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious) and John Leguizamo (John Wick) are set for under-the-radar action movie Tin Soldier, which begins filming next week in Greece.

Tin Soldier tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) – recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his vulnerable past and insider knowledge of the enigmatic...

Exclusive: MGM and Miramax’s Guy Ritchie-directed action thriller Wrath of Man is moving to the May 7-9 weekend, which was recently given up by Disney/Marvel’s Black Widow. Wrath of Man was previously dated for April 23.

United Artists Releasing will be distributing the feature, which reps the filmmaker’s fourth film with leading man Jason Statham, a canon that began with 1998’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The duo are teaming again on a fifth Miramax movie with STX which is currently untitled (though formerly known as Five Eyes).

Wrath of Man, written by Ritchie and Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, follows a mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard (Statham) who surprises his co-workers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes...

Saturday Update: After taking the act to China on Friday, Universal’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is crossing $500M worldwide today, and will close in on $600M through the end of Sunday, landing just south of that next milestone. With Saturday estimates, the split through today is expected to hit $144.5M domestic and $408M at the international box office for a running global tally of $552.5M. The Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham brawn-and-banter spinoff will also have bragging rights to pushing the international F&f franchise total past $4B, while the worldwide gross tops $5.6B through this weekend.

When it opened earlier this month, H&s was No. 1 at the domestic and global box office for two consecutive weekends and is now on track for a No. 1 bow in China this frame. The Middle Kingdom debuted with muscle on Friday (see below) and is estimated at over $73M through today per local reporting.

“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” the action film starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, earned $5.8 million at the box office in Thursday night previews from 3,400 screens. It opens on 4,253 screens this weekend.

Universal’s spinoff, stand-alone film of the “Fast & Furious” franchise is tracking in the low $60 million range, with the studio projecting between $57-60 million. The eighth and previous film in the franchise, “The Fate of the Furious,” made $10.4 million at the Thursday box office before opening to $98.7 million.

As a spinoff without the traditional “Fast & Furious” family on board, the film is looking additionally to the star power of The Rock, Statham and Idris Elba to get audiences in the seats. Further, much of the success of the franchise has come from overseas, with the last film managing to cross over $1 billion globally despite only 18.3% of its total grosses coming domestically.

Also Read: 'Hobbs & Shaw':...

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw hits theaters August 2 and Wamg has your free passes to the St. Louis advance screening on July 30.

After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the Fast & Furious franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just...

After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the “Fast & Furious” franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Now, we get our look at the final trailer for the film!

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies...

Oh, hell yeah!

Watch the final Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw trailer now.

Hobbs & Shaw opens in theaters August 2. Get your tickets now.

After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the Fast & Furious franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who...

Have you seen the brand new Hobbs & Shaw trailer????? I can’t wait! This looks so good!!! Idris Elba’s line, “I’m Black Superman,” wow, just wow!

Check it out for yourself now. The film hits theaters on August 2.

I love the part where they go back to Samoa….ha!!! Damn I love me some Dwayne Johnson! We gotta wait til August??? That blows!

After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the Fast & Furious franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as...

A new “Hobbs & Shaw” trailer packs in the international action with fast cars and high-intensity fight scenes.

When the first trailer dropped in February, viewers were introduced to the genetically-enhanced villain Brixton, played by Idris Elba, as well as a newly cordial relationship between old enemies Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who are returning for the “Fast and Furious” franchise’s ninth film.

At the start of the trailer, Hobbs and Shaw knock out a group of gun-wielding baddies blockading a locked door in Chernobyl. The duo takes out each crew member with ease — so much ease that Hobbs yawns in the middle of fighting. After the fight fest, Hobbs and Shaw get access to a face-recognition lock using the faces of their fallen enemies. The trailer sparks a laugh when Shaw repeatedly gets denied access because his victim’s face fails the test.

The trailer...

Dwayne Johnson’s lawman Luke Hobbs teams up with Jason Statham’s rogue former intelligence operative Deckard Shaw to take on a common enemy — a genetically enhanced bad guy played by Idris Elba who calls himself “Black Superman” — in the explosive first trailer for the upcoming “Hobbs & Shaw.”

David Leitch’s film, a spinoff from the “Fast & Furious” franchise that has grossed nearly $ 5 billion over the course of eight films, seems to be packed with all of the quick banter and muscular stunt work that have been the hallmark of the series.

Ever since Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and Shaw (Statham) first faced off in 2015’s “Furious 7,” the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

Also Read: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham Debut New Explosive 'Hobbs and Shaw' Trailer at CinemaCon

But...

Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Vanessa Kirby, and Idris Elba star in this first preview of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Did we also mention that the film also stars Idris Elba?

After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the Fast & Furious franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless...

Fans of Jet Li can breathe a sigh of relief.

Photos of the world famous martial arts actor appeared on social media recently, in which he appeared shockingly aged and frail. Fans immediately took to the internet to express their worry that Li was in failing health, and that he was looking far beyond his 55 years.

“He is completely fine,” his manager, Steven Chasman, assured. “We appreciate everyone’s concern. But Jet is completely fine,” he told USA Today. “There’s nothing wrong with him. There’s no life-threatening illness. He’s in great shape.”

The photos that appeared online of Li were taken while he graced a temple in Tibet with his presence. One particular picture shows him smiling and in seemingly good spirits, but standing under an unflattering, glaring light that may have given Li a grey, unhealthy cast that concerned his fans. His manager pointed out, “If...

Jet Li fans were given a bit of a scare recently when a photo of the actor began circulating around the internet of him looking thin and “unrecognizable.” The photo led people to begin speculating about Li’s condition, with many saying they were “praying” for his health. However, the movie star’s manager, Steven Chasman, has come out to say the actor is... Read More...

Jet Li’s manager, Steven Chasman, has issued a statement to The Washington Post clarifying that the actor is not in poor health. Li’s health was called into question following the circulation of a photograph online in which the actor appears frail and unrecognizable. The photo caused many fans to pray for Li’s health on social media, but Chasman says Li is in good spirits and the photograph is just an unfortunate one.

“He has hyperthyroidism that he’s been dealing with for almost 10 years,” Chasman told The Post. “It’s nothing life-threatening and he’s dealing with it.”

Li was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism around 2010. The illness is a thyroid condition that causes fatigue and weight loss. The Post explains that hyperthyroidism occurs when “the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs.” These hormones “control the way the body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body,...

Zhu Zhu will star in the remake of the cult German thriller.

China’s Road Pictures has unveiled a slate of new productions, including a Chinese-language remake of 1998 German breakout hit Run Lola Run.

Announced at the recent Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), the remake will star Chinese actress Zhu Zhu (Marco Polo), who will also executive produce.

Based in Beijing with an office in Los Angeles headed by Julien Favre, Road Pictures is also co-financing Andrew Niccol’s upcoming sci-fi thriller Anon, starring Clive Owen and Amanda Seyfried, with Germany’s K5 Media Group. The film is currently in post-production for release later this year.

Road Pictures also announced several new projects at the Bjiff event including The Diamond Age, an adaptation of Neal Stephenson’s cult sci-fi novel, produced in association with Lauren Selig, Barry Levine and Mike Bundlie, which is being scripted by Karl Gajdusek.

Other projects unveiled by Road Pictures include English-language TV series...

Jason Statham is one of the more consistent and prolific action stars working in Hollywood today, with many entries in the genre under his belt. As such, it makes sense that he's now been cast to play the lead in a Hong Kong action movie, written by Kurt Wimmer, which is as yet untitled.

Hong Kong action movies tend to be quite stunt-intensive, with a general inclination to do things practically (though to a lesser extent in recent years). Jason Statham is a very logical choice for this kind of filmmaking, since he has Mixed Martial Arts training, and a lot of action experience, preferring to do as many stunts as possible himself. Obviously, some are going to be too difficult or too dangerous for the star to do them all himself, so he's worked with numerous stuntmen over his career, who he has tremendous respect for.

The Wrap describes...

Jason Statham, star of Spy, Furious 7 and all-round action stalwart, has agreed to topline Sj Pictures and Road Pictures yet-to-be-titled kidnapping thriller, which will take place primarily in Hong Kong.

Details are thin on the ground regarding The Stath’s latest picture, though we understand that he’ll headline the actioner as a British expatriate living in the Chinese metropolis, who becomes embroiled in a sprawling kidnapping case and opts to make tail and go on the run with a skilled Chinese operative. No word yet on a director to take the reins on the nascent project, though Road Pictures’ Gongming Cai and Julien Favre – attached to produce the picture along with Steve Chasman – are evidently excited to work with a genre expert.

“This is a perfect vehicle for Jason Statham to conquer the Chinese market — he is a true global superstar who has such an authentic connection with audiences around the world,...

Jason Statham has signed on to star in a new, untitled action-thriller written by Kurt Wimmer (“Salt”) that will be a co-production between Statham and Steve Chasman’s Sj Pictures and China-based Road Pictures, it was announced Friday. Statham will play an ex-pat Brit living in Hong Kong who goes on the run with a high-level female Chinese agent to solve a kidnapping with global implications. Chasman (“The Bank Job”) will produce the movie with Gongming Cai and Julien Favre of Road Pictures, the Beijing-headquartered global media group. Production will begin next fall in China and Europe. Also Read: Jason Statham to Star.

Jason Statham is back in the market in Untitled Kurt Wimmer Project, a thriller collaboration between Statham and Steven Chasman’s Sj Pictures and China-based Road Pictures.

Wimmer, whose screenplay credits include Salt and the upcoming Salt 2 and Point Break, wrote and will direct the project about an ex-pat in Hong Kong who goes on the run with a high-level female Chinese agent to solve a kidnapping with global implications.

Chasman will produce with Gongming Cai and Julien Favre of Beijing-based Road Pictures.

Principal photography is set to start in autumn 2016 in China and in Europe.

“Jason and I both have been wanting to work with Kurt for a long time,” said Chasman. “He has such an incredible vision for this film that this collaboration is particularly exciting for us.

“The narrative Kurt creates is incredibly rich and while our story is rooted in adventure, it is also very much character-driven. We couldn...

"The Transporter" actor Jason Statham is set to star in the action comedy TV series "Via La Madness" for Gaumont International Television ("Hannibal," "Narcos").

Based on the book of the same name by J.J. Connolly, the story follows the same anonymous protagonist played by Daniel Craig in 2004's film adaptation of Connolly's "Layer Cake" novel.

The story centers on the man who is now stranded in the Caribbean itching for the criminal life he left behind. He soon joins forces with two robust London gangsters.

Connolly, Statham and Steven Chasman will executive produce with Connolly set to pen the series. A network is not yet attached.

Source: The Live Feed...

The action star has landed his first lead TV role on Gaumont International Television’s one-hour action-thriller series from writer J.J. Connolly.

Connolly will adapt Viva La Madness from his book of the same name and the story is a follow-up to his book Layer Cake, which was adapted into a 2004 feature starring Daniel Craig.

Statham and long-time manager and producer Steven Chasman own the rights to the project and will serve as executive producers alongside Connolly.

Viva la Madness centres on an anonymous man stranded in the Caribbean itching for the life of crime he left behind who joins forces with two London gangsters.

CEO Katie O’Connell Marsh of Los Angeles-based Gaumont International Television made the announcement.

“The way J.J. writes is so on the ball and authentic it’s hard to let any of it go,” said Statham. “Trying to lose characters or shave down scenes every other page didn’t work, we...

Furious 7 and Spy‘s Jason Statham is set to star in and co-executive produce Viva La Madness, an hourlong TV drama series based on the book by J.J. Connolly, from Gaumont International TV. A network is not yet attached. Viva La Madness is the next installment to Connolly's novel Layer Cake, which was turned into a movie starring Daniel Craig in 2004. Statham and Steven Chasman, who own the rights to the project, will executive produce, along with Connolly who is also set…...

"Art of the Real" is returning to the Film Society of Lincoln Center with a celebration of Agnès Varda (who will attend!) and more:

"The 2015 edition, taking place April 10-26, will again feature dozens of new works from around the world and in a variety of genres alongside retrospective and thematic selections. Opening Night will premiere new works by João Pedro Rodrigues and João Rui Guerra da Mata (The Last Time I Saw Macao, Mahjong), Eduardo Williams, and Matt Porterfield (I Used to Be Darker), with all filmmakers attending the evening."

Above: For The Criterion Collection, kogonada's new video essay, "Mirrors of Bergman." Abderrahmane Sissako, the director of Timbuktu, will be heading Cannes' Cinéfondation and Short Films Jury. In his NY Times home video column, J. Hoberman writes on Richard Linklater's Boyhood and Guy Maddin's My Winnipeg. Richard Brody writes about Spike Lee's Da Sweet Blood of...

“Philomena” star Steve Coogan has signed on to play Scottish lawyer James Boswell in Highland Film Group's adaptation of the West End play “Boswell For the Defence,” the company announced Sunday. Gregor Jordan (“Buffalo Soldiers”) will direct from a script by Patrick Edgeworth, who also wrote the play. Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman will produce, while Armyan Bernstein of Beacon Pictures will executive produce. The project is represented by Highland Film Group internationally. Production is set for 2015. Also read: ‘The Trip to Italy’ Review: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon Serve Up More Delicious Mid-Life Crises “Boswell For the Defence” tells the true story of how.

Steve Coogan will play the title role of James Boswell in an adaptation of the West End play Boswell For The Defence. Highland Film Group is in Toronto handling international sales.

Gregor Jordan will direct from Patrick Edgeworth’s adaptation of his own play. Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman will produce, while Armyan Bernstein serves as executive producer.

Production is set for 2015 in Europe on the period legal drama from Chasman’s Current Entertainment about the eponymous Scottish lawyer who takes on the case of a female convict sentenced to death.

“Whether it be Lincoln or Thatcher, bringing a historical figure to life is always a challenge, but Steve’s [Coogan] extraordinary ability to blend humour and pathos make him the perfect artist to bring such a complex character like Boswell to the screen,” said producers Pennell and Chasman. “We are excited to see him make this role his own.”...

Highland Film Group announced today at the Toronto film festival that Academy-nominated, BAFTA Award-winning actor Steve Coogan (“Philomena”, “The Trip”) has signed on to play the title role of James Boswell in a feature film adaptation of acclaimed West End play, Boswell For The Defence.

Gregor Jordan (“Buffalo Soldiers”, “Ned Kelly”) will direct from a script by Patrick Edgeworth, who also wrote the play. Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman will produce. Armyan Bernstein (Beacon Pictures) will executive produce. The project is represented by Highland Film Group Internationally.

Production is set for 2015.

Boswell For The Defence tells the true story of how James Boswell (Coogan), in the twilight of his career and life, takes on an impossible case – to save the life of the convict Mary Bryant from the gallows. A case no one else wants or cares about. The tragi-comic Boswell is the most unlikely hero from the most unlikely quarter.

Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today Shane Black will direct the film adaptation of the popular adventure book series The Destroyer by Warren Murphy. Penning the screenplay are Jim Uhls (Fight Club) and James Mullaney; Mullaney co-authored and became the sole writer of The Destroyer until the series’ end in 2008. Charles Roven, Steven Chasman, and Andy Horwitz will produce. Michael De Luca and Lauren Abrahams will oversee for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Destroyer is based on the series of paperback novels in which Newark cop Remo Williams is framed, sentenced to death, then resurrected following a botched execution. The reason? To serve as enforcement arm for Cure, a top-secret, extra-Constitutional arm of the U.S. government. Along with a seemingly ageless – and often hilarious – Asian assassin known only as Chiun, Williams sets out to "clean up" and take out those who oppose America’s interests. The surprisingly-heartfelt stories combine edgy old-school...

The Iron Man 3 director is on board the adaptation of the novels about a former police officer who gets signed up to a secret government arm.

Jim Uhls of Fight Club fame will write the screenplay to what is being described as an adventure with “rapid-fire capers full of slick banter, social satire, and sudden violence.”

Charles Roven, Steven Chasman and Andy Horwitz will produce. Michael De Luca and Lauren Abrahams will oversee for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Chasman is Jason Statham’s manager however there was no word on casting at time of writing.

Black is currently attached to co-write and direct the pulp crime adaptation Doc Savage.

Shane Black ("Iron Man 3," "Kiss, Kiss, Bang Bang") has been hired to direct "The Destroyer" for Sony Pictures. Jim Uhls ("Fight Club") and James Mullaney have penned the adaptation of Warren Murphy's adventure book series.

The story follows New Jersey cop Remo Williams, a man sentenced to death and then resurrected following a botched execution. He now works for the enforcement arm of the clandestine U.S. government agency Cure.

Teaming with an Asian assassin, together they clean up and eliminate those who oppose America's interests. The books blend suspense, Eastern mysticism, and darkly comic capers.

Charles Roven, Steven Chasman, and Andy Horwitz will produce. Fred Ward previously played the character in a 1985 movie.

In a statement Roven says: "Shane has been a fan of the original Destroyer book series since its inception and he has an incredible vision for this film. [We] couldn't be more fortunate to be...

Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today Shane Black will direct the film adaptation of the popular adventure book series The Destroyer by Warren Murphy. Penning the screenplay are Jim Uhls (Fight Club) and James Mullaney; Mullaney co-authored and became the sole writer of "The Destroyer" until the series' end in 2008. Charles Roven, Steven Chasman, and Andy Horwitz will produce. Michael De Luca and Lauren Abrahams will oversee for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Exclusive: Sony Pictures has set Iron Man 3 helmer Shane Black to direct The Destroyer, Fight Club scribe Jim Uhls’ scripted adaptation of the adventure book series by Warren Murphy that will give framed New Jersey cop Remo Williams another shot at a movie franchise. Uhls wrote the script with James Mullaney, who co-authored books in the series and became the sole writer of The Destroyer series until it ended in 2008. The film will be produced by Charles Roven, Steven Chasman, and Andy Horwitz. Michael De Luca and Lauren Abrahams will oversee for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Williams was a Newark cop until he was framed, sentenced to death, then resurrected following a botched execution. He is given a second lease on life serving in the enforcement arm of the clandestine U.S. government agency Cure. Williams teams with the Asian assassin Chiun and together they clean up and eliminate those who oppose America’s interests.

How do you rank perfection? Duncan has a go, as he lists the top 25 Jason Statham films...

For regular Den Of Geek readers, it will come as little surprise to see this list come round. We've chosen our favourite Statham films before, but such is the productivity of the great man, it was decided that a mere top ten was no longer large enough to contain his ever growing body of work. Last time I mentioned updating this piece to the man himself back in 2012 due to his insane workload, he cracked up and responded, “My productivity is overwhelming! 'Have a fucking day off!'”

Since this list has now expanded to encompass 25 of his movies, it seemed only right to include multiple sequels, with his big trio of action franchises all spawning some thoroughly entertaining fare worthy of mention, though I’ve tried to exclude the personal bias that...

Arguably the role that launched Daniel Craig’s career, arriving two years before Casino Royale rebooted James Bond, the unnamed protagonist in Layer Cake is set to return to the screen with Jason Statham acquiring the rights to J.J. Connolly’s follow-up novel, Viva La Madness.

Deadline reports that Statham and his manager/producing partner Steve Chasman (The Transporter, Blitz) have bought the rights to Connolly’s novel, published back in 2011, with Connolly set to pen the script, as he did with Matthew Vaughn’s original Layer Cake adaptation.

The sequel arrived in print just over a decade after Layer Cake hit the shelves, and with Vaughn’s film hitting theatres in 2004, four years after the novel was published, let’s hope that it won’t be long before Viva La Madness hits screens.

Coming via Amazon, here’s the synopsis for the original novel:

The authentic voice of British gangster fiction,...

In today’s most improbable sequel news, it seems that a follow-up is on the way to British crime thriller Layer Cake, with Jason Statham set to take on the leading role. Deadline reports that Statham and producing partner Steve Chasman have purchased the rights to novelist J.J. Connolly’s Viva La Madness, a sequel to his original story brought to the big screen by Matthew Vaughn in 2004. The report also claims that Statham will take over the leading role of the unnamed narrator, last played by a pre-Bond Daniel Craig, as he branches...

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Remember the film Layer Cake? Of course you do, it was that excellent British crime thriller which helped to launch the careers of both Matthew Vaughn and Daniel Craig. Well, it seems as if a sequel is being put into production and Jason Statham is eyeing the lead role. Along with his producing partner Steve Chasman, the actor hopes to star in Viva La Madness, which is author J.J. Connolly’s follow-up to the aforementioned Layer Cake, which he also penned.

The film will follow the same nameless protagonists that Craig played in the first film. Finished with his life of crime, he looks to retire onto a beach but instead gets himself involved in ”trans-Atlantic drug deals, money laundering, high-tech electronic fraud, London lowlifes and Venezuelan drug cartels.”

You can check out the full synopsis below:

J. J. Connolly the favorite voice of London gangster fiction returns with a...

Jason Statham is set to star in Viva la Madness, the sequel to Layer Cake. He will be taking over the role Daniel Craig originated.

Statham will be producing alongside his producing partner Steve Chasman. Jj Connolly, who wrote the novels Cake and Madman are based on, will be penning the screenplay.

Here’s the synopsis for Viva la Madness courtesy of Barnes & Noble:

In Viva la Madness the anonymous hero of Layer Cake is stranded in the Caribbean, itching for the gangster life he left behind—but he’s still a wanted man back home. Soon he joins forces with two robust London criminals: the menacing Sonny King and his paranoid partner Roy “Twitchy” Burns. From the beach to an urban underworld, Viva la Madness moves to trans-Atlantic drug deals and high-tech electronic fraud, portrayed with the same uncanny believability. A dazzling combination of London low-life and Caribbean high-life,...

I expect there would be no small uproar if it were ever announced that Jason Statham would replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role of superspy James Bond. But that probably isn.t the case with any of Craig.s other characters, and so it is with only a minimal amount of trepidation that we accept the news that Statham and his producer partner Steve Chasman acquired the rights to Viva La Madness, J.J. Connolly.s novelized sequel to his hit 2000 novel Layer Cake, which Matthew Vaughn turned into Layer Cake a feature in 2004, with Craig in the unnamed lead role. Does this mean Statham will be coming back to the quick-witted Brit crime capers that launched his career? Let.s hope so. Not to give away the ending to Layer Cake, but the protagonist bad guy wasn.t exactly in tip-top shape, and his future trials and tribulations ...

While Jason Statham has pushed more towards action in his film choices recently, he’s clearly still looking to nod back towards his Lock, Stock / Snatch days. Statham and producing partner Steve Chasman have snapped up the rights to J.J. Connolly’s novel Viva La Madness, the sequel to Layer Cake.As he did with Cake, Connolly is turning Madness into a script, with Statham looking to take over the nameless leading character role from Daniel Craig, who starred for Matthew Vaughn in 2004.Despite ending up with a gunshot wound at the end of that film, the sequel will find our hero alive and pondering retirement, looking for somewhere warm and beach-tastic to spend the rest of his days. Instead, what he finds is a world of drug deals, money laundering, electronic fraud, London gangsters and cartels. Vaughn is not currently attached to the film, but if it does get made,...

Jason Statham and producer Steve Chasman have acquired the film rights to J.J. Connolly's novel "Viva La Madness".

'Viva' is Connolly's sequel to "Layer Cake," the book he wrote which became the 2004 Matthew Vaughn film which starred Daniel Craig as the nameless protagonist. Connolly is adapting the novel into a script with Statham to play the same character Craig did in 'Layer' .

Surviving his gunshot wound, the man is now looking to retire to a beach. Instead he becomes involved with trans-Atlantic drug deals, money laundering, high-tech electronic fraud, London lowlifes and Venezuelan drug cartels.

Statham and Chasman will produce for their Sj Pictures banner, the company's second film following the upcoming adaptation of William Goldman's "Heat".

Source: Deadline...

Jason Statham will star in the Layer Cake sequel Viva La Madness.

Statham and his manager and producing partner Steve Chasman have acquired the rights to J.J. Connolly's novel, Deadline reports.

As he did with 2004's Layer Cake, Connolly is adapting his novel into a screenplay.

Statham will play Craig's nameless character, who was last seen trying to survive a gunshot wound in Layer Cake.

Viva La Madness follows the anti-hero as he tries to find somewhere to retire. However, he soon becomes involved with a trans-Atlantic drug deal, money laundering and fraud.

Viva La Madness will be the second film that Statham and Chasman produce as part of their Sj Pictures production company.

They recently finished production on Heat, with Statham starring alongside Sofia Vergara, Milo Ventimiglia and Stanley Tucci. The film is due for release in 2014.

Watch the trailer for the original Layer Cake below:...

Before he became James Bond in the 2006 reboot Casino Royale, Daniel Craig was on the wrong side of the law in Layer Cake, the directorial debut of X-Men: First Class helmer Matthew Vaughn. Now a sequel is being developed, but since Craig is caught up in the 007 franchise, it will be British action star Jason Statham stepping up to play the anonymous drug dealing protagonist in Viva La Madness. Statham is also producing the film with his Sj Pictures partner Steve Chasman, who also heads up Current Entertainment, the company behind Statham's action efforts in Parker, The Bank Job and The Transporter. Deadline reports Statham is playing the character Craig brought to life, hoping that it will work much in the same way different actors have played James Bond, Jack Ryan or Donald E. Westlake's Parker character. This time around, the drug dealing hero is trying to retire, but...

Exclusive: Jason Statham and his manager and producing partner Steve Chasman have acquired rights to the J.J. Connolly novel Viva La Madness. That is Connolly’s follow-up novel to Layer Cake. Just as he did with the the Matthew Vaughn-directed film that starred Daniel Craig, Connolly again is turning his novel into a script. Connolly never names his chief protagonist anti-hero, but Statham will play the same nameless character we last saw trying to survive a gunshot wound in Layer Cake. It took Connolly more than a decade to follow that tale. Here, his protagonist is looking for a beach to land on in retirement, but instead he gets involved with trans-Atlantic drug deals, money laundering, high-tech electronic fraud, London lowlifes and Venezuelan drug cartels. Statham and Chasman will test the idea that a protagonist can play the same character in different movies, the way that everyone from from Mel Gibson to Lee Marvin,...

Exclusive: Jason Statham has been working up a storm in serious films, but he’s taking time to go back to the comic roots that launched his career with Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. I’m told that Statham has met with director Paul Feig and that talks will start soon for him to join Melissa McCarthy in Fox‘s Susan Cooper. That comedy, which puts Feig and McCarthy back together after they did the hits Bridesmaids and The Heat, casts her as an unlikely secret agent. Statham will play a spy on the same side, if the deal makes. He’ll next be seen with James Franco in Homefront, and he just wrapped The Expendables 3. Statham is just beginning work on The Fast & The Furious 7. He’s repped by CAA and managed by Steve Chasman.

Sofia Vergara is in line to star in a remake of Burt Reynolds action movie Heat.

The Modern Family actress is in negotiations to join Jason Statham, according to Variety.

The Heat remake stars Statham as Nick Escalante, who funds his gambling addiction by heading to Las Vegas and moonlighting in security.

However, he is soon forced to tackle the mob when his friend is badly beaten.

Simon West (Con Air) will direct from a script by William Goldman, who also wrote the original movie. Statham is producing the movie with Steve Chasman of Sj Pictures.

Vergara's forthcoming movies include Robert Rodriguez's action movie Machete Kills and animated family feature The Smurfs 2, where she will play Odile Anjelou.

Watch a new featurette from Parker with feedback from director Taylor Hackford and Jason Statham. The entertaining crime action thriller from FilmDistrict opens in theaters on January 25th and in this latest video, you'll see Jennifer Lopez, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Michael Chiklis among others. Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez team up to get their cut in the crime thriller, Parker, based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake. Parker (Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double Also in the cast of Parker are Nick Nolte and Wendell Pierce. John J. McLaughlin scripts with Donald E. Westlake. Parker is produced by Les Alexander, Steve Chasman, Taylor Hackford, Sidney Kimmel and Jonathan Mitchell.

Watch a new featurette from Parker with feedback from director Taylor Hackford and Jason Statham. The entertaining crime action thriller from FilmDistrict opens in theaters on January 25th and in this latest video, you'll see Jennifer Lopez, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Michael Chiklis among others. Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez team up to get their cut in the crime thriller, Parker, based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake. Parker (Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double Also in the cast of Parker are Nick Nolte and Wendell Pierce. John J. McLaughlin scripts with Donald E. Westlake. Parker is produced by Les Alexander, Steve Chasman, Taylor Hackford, Sidney Kimmel and Jonathan Mitchell.

Check out the new Mexican poster and a new quad for FilmDistrict's "Parker" crime thriller starring Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez. Taylor Hackford directs the film from the script by John J. McLaughlin and Donald E. Westlate, which opens January 25th. Parker is produced by Les Alexander, Steve Chasman, Taylor Hackford, Sidney Kimmel and Jonathan Mitchell. Cast also has Nick Nolte, Clifton Colins, Jr., Michael Chiklis and Wendell Pierce on board. Parker Synopsis: Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez team up to get their cut in the crime thriller, "Parker," based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake. Parker (Jason Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead. Determined...