Viva La Madness: Jason Statham Stars in Guy Ritchie's New Movie
The dream team is gearing up for another action-packed hit!
Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie: the dream team returns! The project: an action film called "Viva La Madness". According to Variety, the book it's based on follows a London drug dealer who goes into hiding in the Caribbean. However, he soon gets pulled back into a criminal world of drugs, fraud, money laundering, and violence.
The novel is a sequel to "Layer Cake", which was adapted into a film in 2004 starring Daniel Craig – back then, the role helped lead to his casting as James Bond. However, the "Viva La Madness" adaptation will not be an official continuation of the Craig film. Jason Statham is the only confirmed cast member so far. Guy Ritchie is writing the screenplay and is set to direct, with production slated to kick off in January 2026.
Guy Ritchie & Jason Statham: An explosive partnership in British cinema
For over two decades, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham have been one of the most distinctive duos in modern action cinema. Their collaboration is synonymous with fast cuts, dry British humor, stylish gangsters, clever scripts and an unmistakable coolness that has achieved cult status worldwide. Together they have redefined the genre of the British gangster film, conquered Hollywood and to date have realized six joint projects – each with its very own character.
Below we take a detailed look at all the films that Ritchie and Statham have made together – from their beginnings in London's underworld to international espionage adventures and the announced new chapter "Viva La Madness".
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
The beginning of a legendary partnership: Guy Ritchie's directorial debut "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" in 1998 catapulted him into the ranks of the most exciting British filmmakers. The film tells the story of a group of small-time crooks who become involved in a disastrous poker game scam and soon find themselves caught up in a web of debt, drugs and gangster bosses.
Jason Statham, at the time a largely unknown model and ex-water jumper, was given his first ever film role – as Bacon, an eloquent street dealer with a sharp wit and quick tongue. Ritchie discovered in him what was to shape his later career: a natural, laconic presence that fitted perfectly into the director's turbulent, ironic universe. The Movie was a surprise international success, made Ritchie the figurehead of "Cool Britannia" cinema in the late 1990s and opened the doors to Hollywood for Statham.
Snatch: Pigs and Diamonds (2000)
"Snatch" followed just two years later, and the duo outdid themselves. Ritchie's second directorial effort is in many ways a continuation of the style that made his breakthrough – with even more energy, even more characters and even more quirky humor. Jason Statham took on the role of Turkish, a boxing promoter who inadvertently finds himself caught between crooks, dog catchers, Jewish diamond dealers and an Irish gypsy boxer (played by Brad Pitt).
"Snatch" is a cinematic firework – fast-paced editing, an excellent soundtrack and brilliant dialog that has long enjoyed cult status. The film definitively established Statham as a charismatic action star and cemented Ritchie's reputation as a style-conscious storyteller with a flair for chaos and comedy.
Revolver (2005)
After several years in Hollywood, Ritchie returned in 2005 with "Revolver" – his most experimental and controversial work to date. Jason Statham plays professional gambler Jake Green, who is out for revenge after seven years in prison, but soon finds himself caught up in a complex game of manipulation, philosophy and identity crisis.
"Revolver" is not a typical Ritchie film: instead of brisk humor and pointed slang, a dark, almost metaphysical atmosphere dominates here. The film divided critics and audiences alike, but was later praised as a courageous attempt to explore the psychological depth behind Ritchie's gangster characters. Statham shows a new side to his acting here – introspective, vulnerable and ice-cold at the same time. Although "Revolver" was not a box office success, it is now regarded as a fascinating experiment by two artists who were prepared to transcend genre boundaries.
Wrath of Man (2021)
After more than 15 years without working together, Ritchie and Statham reunited in 2021 – and delivered a hard-hitting action thriller in "Wrath of Man" that proved the maturity of their collaboration. Statham plays the mysterious security driver H, who is hired by a money transportation company in Los Angeles. It soon becomes clear that he has his own motives: Revenge. The plot unfolds in Ritchie's typical, non-linear narrative structure, but this time with a much more serious, brutal tone.
The film is based on the French film "Le Convoyeur" (2004) and shows Ritchie in top form – as a director who combines classic action material with precise staging and sharp characterization. Statham embodies his character's stoic rage with impressive intensity, and the interplay of style and tension is reminiscent of the best moments of their early films – only more mature and darker.
Operation Fortune (2023)
Two years later, Ritchie and Statham returned with a completely different tone. "Operation Fortune" is a charming espionage action film that sits somewhere between "James Bond" and "Mission: Impossible" – but with the typical Ritchie touch of sarcasm, pace and team dynamics.
Statham plays the elite agent Orson Fortune, who leads a team of specialists to prevent a mysterious weapon from falling into the wrong hands. At his side: Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett and Hugh Grant, who – as in Ritchie's The Gentlemen – shines as an eccentric villain. The film combines action and self-irony in an entertaining way. For Ritchie and Statham, it was a return to fun cinema: elegant locations, exaggerated dialog, a touch of self-parody – and all carried by the duo's unmistakable chemistry.
Conclusion: Two British originals and a cinematic legacy
What Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham have in common is far more than just professional routine. Their collaboration has shaped an entire subgenre: the modern British gangster film with global appeal. While Ritchie shapes the stories with his unmistakable signature – rhythmic, ironic, precise – Statham is the physical and emotional embodiment of this world.
From small Thrillers to the serene professional killer in "Wrath of Man", Statham shows an impressive range within a clearly defined archetype. And Ritchie proves time and again that he knows how to reinvent this type.
With "Viva La Madness", their sixth joint project is in the starting blocks – proof that this partnership is far from over. In a film world full of interchangeable action heroes and generic blockbusters, Ritchie and Statham remain a duo that combines style, substance and unadulterated British coolness.
