Even as EuropaCorp prepares to relaunch the Transporter series, with the Ed Skrein-led Transporter Legacy set for next summer, the original Transporter himself is gearing up for a new action franchise. Jason Statham has been confirmed to reprise the role of Arthur Bishop in Mechanic: Resurrection, a long-planned follow-up to the rather forgettable 2011 actioner The Mechanic.
Shockingly, Statham will be joined in the sequel by the likes of Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones and Michelle Yeoh. Resurrection finds the main character, a hit-man, pulled back into the business after the love of his life is kidnapped by a formidable enemy. Determined to rescue her, he embarks on a mission to “complete an impossible list of assassinations of the most dangerous men in the world.”
Dennis Gansel (The Wave, We Are the Night) is directing the film, which kicked off production in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this week. So far, Resurrection seems like business as usual for Statham, though that Jones has become attached is both unexpected and quite exciting. Hopefully he plays a villainous role and elevates the proceedings above Statham’s often rote action fare. We’ll find out when the movie hits screens on January 22nd, 2016.
Meanwhile, another Millenium Films production, actioner Criminal, has also been dated for August 21st, 2015. That title, from The Iceman helmer Ariel Vromen, centers on a dangerous criminal who has the memories and skills of a dead CIA agent implanted into his brain in order to track down and stop an international terrorist. Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Alice Eve, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Michael Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones (what isn’t this guy dabbling in?), Scott Adkins, Antje Traue and Amauly Nolasco all star in the thriller.
Both Mechanic: Resurrection and Criminal sound highly promising, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted with the latest on both. In the meantime, brace yourself for the Mechanic sequel by checking out the trailer for the first installment.
