Jason Statham Was Considered For Will Smith’s DC Role in Controversial Film Despite His Hatred For Superheroes
Jason Statham is an English actor who is primarily known for starring in fast-paced action movies. He feels more at home with roles that are tough, gritty, and require a lot of action. He has done many box office hit movies, such as The Mechanic, The Italian Job, Spy, War, Crank, The Expendables, etc. He played the role of Deckard Shaw in the Fast and Furious franchise, which skyrocketed his fame.
Jason Statham’s aversion to superhero movies is well-known to fans by now. He even gave a comment to the Italian website I 400 Calci that he thinks anybody can do Marvel movies, even his grandmother. It is unclear whether he is completely against the genre, but as an actor, he is uninterested in it. However, it would be surprising for fans to know that Statham was actually considered for a DC role that was later taken on by Will Smith.
Jason Statham was considered for this DC film despite being vocal about his hatred for superhero films
There has been a recent surge in superhero films over the last decade. Marvel and DC seem to be dominating the cinephiles with an iron fist these days. People’s devotion to their favorite superhero can put even religion to shame. Despite everyone dreaming about a big break in a superhero franchise, Jason Statham has decided to walk away from the bandwagon and forge his own path. In an interview with Variety, he opened up about his disdain for these kinds of movies as an actor and explained his reasoning behind it:
“I don’t have a big appetite for a costume, with cape and tights. I like old school 80s movies. I was inspired by people like [Sylvester] Stallone and Arnold [Schwarzenegger]. And even before those guys, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and [Clint] Eastwood. I just couldn’t see any of those guys putting on a cape, and a mask and going around on wires.”
He also stressed that it was his own personal choice by adding:
“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… Well, I like being grounded to be an element we inject into the crazy world that we’re in.”
In an interview with The Guardian, he also reiterated his views saying:
“Me in a cape? I don’t fancy that. Tight tights? Nah! I don’t think that’s right for me. I just respond more to true stories, that’s my flavour.”
However, many fans do not know that he was actually considered for the role of Deadshot in The Suicide Squad. The role later went to Will Smith, who played the role to perfection but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Given Statham’s views on playing a superhero on-screen it would not be far-fetched to say he might have rejected the role when it came to him.
Jason Statham’s The Beekeeper trailer shows him out for vengeance
Jason Statham is back doing what he does best. He has geared up to play a ruthless assassin in the upcoming movie The Beekeeper, the trailer for which has been out recently. According to the press release, the movie is about:
“One man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as ‘Beekeepers.’”
In the trailer, he is seen in full action mode, blazing through the enemies while raining bullets alongside a star-studded cast of Josh Hutcherson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Minnie Driver, Bobby Naderi, Phylicia Rashad, and Jeremy Irons.
Directed by David Ayer, who is formerly known for his work in The Suicide Squad, the movie is filled with quipping one-liners like “I’m gonna burn this place to the ground” and “You’re goddamn right I’m a problem” and the audience seems to be here for it.
The Beekeeper will be released on January 12, 2024.
