Let’s face it, Jason Statham‘s catalog isn’t exactly a deep well of varied, nuanced performances in films of varied subtext and substance. As he says quite candidly to This Is Lancashire, “I make a lot of films that don’t have much depth to them – they’re more like popcorn movies.” Very true. But last week Statham showed a bit more actorly muscle in “Redemption” (our review), playing a ex-military solider, and emotionally damaged homeless man, and he’s been greeted with good reviews for his work which required less punching than usual (though there still is punching). Could he be setting his sights higher for future gigs? Seems so.
“There’s a ton of people I want to work with. [Martin] Scorsese, Chris Nolan, all these people who make good movies would fit the list. But things like that don’t come my way,” Statham said. Hardly a surprise, but should a name director take a shot on Statham for something other than this formidable action skills?
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time an actor has been taken out of their pigeonhole or reintroduced to audiences, as Adam Sandler (“Punch Drunk Love“), Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler“) and Jean Claude Van Damme (“JCVD“) have in recent years. And hell, all the way back in 1997, James Mangold found new notes hiding within Sylvester Stallone in “Cop Land.” And let’s not forget, it was David Fincher himself who recommended Statham for “Redemption” in the first place.
So, untapped talent or have we already seen all that Statham can give? Weigh in below.