Despite having dominated the genre for over 20 years, I’m shockedJason Stathamhasn’t fronted a particular kind of action film. I’ve been a fan ofJason Statham action filmsright from the beginning, even as he was finding his feet with efforts like 2001’sGhosts of Mars. Since then, he has refined his screen persona and understands the roles he works best in; this would explain howStatham’sThe Beekeeperbecame his biggest solo filmto date, despite having already been a star for 20 years.
I like that Statham himself is a student of the genre, citing actors like Bruce Lee and Clint Eastwood as his idols. Statham has worked with many other icons, including Bruce Willis inThe Expendablesmovie franchise. I think it’s near impossible to be a fan of action movies andnotloveDie Hard, which changed the genre forever. The film soon received a slew of imitators, with actors like Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford and Steven Seagal needing to make their own “Die Hard on a Blank” movies.
Jason Statham’s First Action Movie Was A Stealth Remake Of This 1959 John Wayne Classic
Jason Statham’s very first action role was in a sci-fi/horror movie from 2001, which was a stealth remake of one of John Wayne’s best Westerns.
I Can’t Believe Jason Statham Hasn’t Made A “Die Hard On A Blank” Movie
“Die Hard on a Statham” is an incredible pitch
Despite nearly every action star having their own take on the film, I was surprised to realize Statham has never attempted aDie Hard-type of movie. This subgenre typically involves a group of terrorists/thieves taking over a location (e.g. a building, a plane, a space prison, etc) and a lone hero/small group fighting back; there will likely be a European villain involved too. Despite being a natural to front this kind of film,none of Statham’s work falls underneath the “Die Hard on a Blank” banner- not yet, at least.
I suppose an argumentcouldbe made that the second half ofExpendables 4is “Die Hard on a Ship,” but the tropes only apply to this despised 2023 sequel in the most superficial way.Any attempt to stick theDie Hardlabel on Statham’s filmography is doomed to failsince none of them hit the right beats. I very much doubt Statham has been actively avoiding the subgenre, but at least for the near future, it doesn’t appear that he’ll be fronting aDie Hardscenario movie.
Bruce Willis made an uncredited cameo asDie Hard’sJohn McClane in the 1993 action spoofLoaded Weapon 1.
I Think Every Action Star Needs Their Very Own Die Hard Movie
Dwayne Johnson’s Skyscraper is just Die Hard in a Bigger Building
“Die Hard on a Blank” became the hot action formula for much of the 1990s, and every action star worth their salt made at least one example. Sylvester Stallone hasCliffhanger(AKADie Hardon a Mountain), Harrison Ford saved the day withAir Force One(Die Hardon, ummm, Air Force One) while a modern example is Gerard Butler’sHas Fallentrilogy.I love this subgenre because of how flexible it can be, and it’s great to see certain filmmakers and actors bring their own tweaks to the formula.
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$315,536,842
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$840,842,411
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The Fast and the Furious
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Even Santa Claus (as played by David Harbour) got in on the action withViolent Night. These movies are often crafted around the personas of their stars, which creates interesting new wrinkles. Liam Neeson’sNon-Stoptakes itsDie Hardon a Plane setup very seriously, whereas Dwayne Johnson’sSkyscraper- essentiallyDie Hardin a Bigger Building - plays like a live-action cartoon. That’s whyI want to see Jason Statham play in theDie Hardsandbox since he could bring a fun new energy to this subgenre.
I Hope Statham’s Potential New Franchise Fulfills My Die Hard Wish
Levon’s Night is even set at Christmas!
One of my most anticipated films of 2025 isLevon’s Trade, which reunites Statham withBeekeeperhelmer David Ayer. The movie adapts theLevon Cadebook series by Chuck Dixon, with no less than Sylvester Stallone writing and producing the adaptation. That’s a solid combination of elements for a great action film, andif theLevon Cadeseries becomes a movie franchise, then sequelLevon’s Nightcould finally give Statham his ownDie Hard.
… I couldn’t help but picture Statham being the one sneaking around and snapping necks in the middle of a snowstorm while reading Levon’s Night.
The second novel finds Levon and his daughter living in a small, isolated Maine town. Close to Christmas, a ruthless (what else?) gang of mercenaries take it over, looking to retrieve some diamonds.Once Levon realizes what’s happening, he dusts off his old skills and takes out the gangone by one. In truth,Levon’s Nightisn’t as good asLevon’s Tradeand takes a little too long to ramp up. Still, I couldn’t help but picture Statham being the one sneaking around and snapping necks in the middle of a snowstorm whilst reading.
Levon’s Tradehas every shot at earning a sequel or two, and if it does, I hopeLevon’s Nightis up next. Not only would it give Statham a chance to join theDie Hardclub, but it would drop him right in the middle of a unique action setup. Of course, time will tell ifJason Stathamand David Ayer’s next film is a hit, while the star himself is hardly hurting for work.
